1. kai egeneto en tw tetartw etei epi dareiou tou basilewV egeneto logoV kuriou proV zacarian tetradi tou mhnoV tou enatou oV estin caseleu
2. kai exapesteilen eiV baiqhl sarasar kai arbeseer o basileuV kai oi andreV autou tou exilasasqai ton kurion
3. legwn proV touV iereiV touV en tw oikw kuriou pantokratoroV kai proV touV profhtaV legwn eiselhluqen wde en tw mhni tw pemptw to agiasma kaqoti epoihsa hdh ikana eth
4. kai egeneto logoV kuriou twn dunamewn proV me legwn
5. eipon proV apanta ton laon thV ghV kai proV touV iereiV legwn ean nhsteushte h koyhsqe en taiV pemptaiV h en taiV ebdomaiV kai idou ebdomhkonta eth mh nhsteian nenhsteukate moi
6. kai ean faghte h pihte ouc umeiV esqete kai umeiV pinete
7. ouc outoi oi logoi eisin ouV elalhsen kurioV en cersin twn profhtwn twn emprosqen ote hn ierousalhm katoikoumenh kai euqhnousa kai ai poleiV authV kukloqen kai h oreinh kai h pedinh katwkeito
8. kai egeneto logoV kuriou proV zacarian legwn
9. tade legei kurioV pantokratwr krima dikaion krinate kai eleoV kai oiktirmon poieite ekastoV proV ton adelfon autou
10. kai chran kai orfanon kai proshluton kai penhta mh katadunasteuete kai kakian ekastoV tou adelfou autou mh mnhsikakeitw en taiV kardiaiV umwn
11. kai hpeiqhsan tou prosecein kai edwkan nwton parafronounta kai ta wta autwn ebarunan tou mh eisakouein
12. kai thn kardian autwn etaxan apeiqh tou mh eisakouein tou nomou mou kai touV logouV ouV exapesteilen kurioV pantokratwr en pneumati autou en cersin twn profhtwn twn emprosqen kai egeneto orgh megalh para kuriou pantokratoroV
13. kai estai on tropon eipen kai ouk eishkousan autou outwV kekraxontai kai ou mh eisakousw legei kurioV pantokratwr
14. kai ekbalw autouV eiV panta ta eqnh a ouk egnwsan kai h gh afanisqhsetai katopisqen autwn ek diodeuontoV kai ex anastrefontoV kai etaxan ghn eklekthn eiV afanismon
Footnotes:
7:1-3 - The messengers from Bethel question the prophet about continuing the fast. This highlights the concern about external worship practices without true inner change. God values sincerity and genuine repentance, not empty rituals (see also Isaiah 58:5-7 and Matthew 6:16-18).
7:4-7 - God responds that fasting should not be seen as an end in itself, but as an expression of repentance and righteousness. He reminds the people that His words have always been ignored, and judgment has come as a consequence (see also Amos 5:21-24 and Jeremiah 7:23-24).
7:8-10 - God calls people to practice true justice, including acts of mercy and compassion. Genuine repentance results in actions that reflect God's character, not empty sacrifices (see also Micah 6:6-8 and James 1:27).
7:11-14 - The people reject God's appeals, and as a result, He rejects their prayers. Disobedience and hardened hearts prevent the people from experiencing God's blessing (see also Isaiah 1:15-17 and Matthew 23:37-39).
Verses related to Zacarias, 7:
Zechariah chapter 7 questions the authenticity of ritual fasting. What does God really want from His people? This challenging text answers a question about fasting, emphasizing the importance of justice and mercy over empty rituals. The chapter recalls the warnings of previous prophets and the consequences of disobedience. Zechariah 7 explores themes such as true worship, obedience from the heart, and social responsibility. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that illuminate the enduring principles of this provocative chapter.
Isaiah 58:6-7: "Isn't the fasting I desire this: to loosen the chains of injustice, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and to break every yoke? Isn't it sharing your food with the hungry, sheltering the helpless poor, clothing the naked you found, and not refusing help to your neighbor?" - This excerpt from Isaiah echoes the theme of Zechariah 7 about the true nature of fasting and worship that God desires.
Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint, dill and cummin, but you have neglected the most important precepts of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. You must practice these things, without omitting those." - Jesus emphasizes the importance of justice and mercy over ritualism, reflecting the theme of Zechariah 7.
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires: do justice, love faithfulness and walk humbly with your God." - Micah summarizes what God really wants, aligning with Zechariah 7's message about true worship.
Jeremiah 7:5-7: "If you truly change your ways and your actions and treat one another fairly, if you do not oppress the stranger, the orphan and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor follow other gods to your own ruin, then I will let them live in this place, in the land that I gave to their ancestors forever." - Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of social justice, echoing the theme of Zechariah 7.
Amos 5:24: "Rather, let righteousness flow like a river, justice like an everlasting stream!" - Amos emphasizes the importance of ongoing righteousness, reflecting Zechariah 7's call for a true change of heart.
FAQ:
What does God reveal about fasting in Zechariah 7?
God questions the sincerity of fasting and teaches that true fasting must be accompanied by justice, mercy, and care for those in need. (Zechariah 7:4-10)
What is the message of Zechariah 7 about obedience?
The message is that obedience to God's will, reflected in our dealings with others, is more important than external rituals like fasting. (Zechariah 7:11-14)
What does the promise of restoration in Zechariah 7 mean?
The promise of restoration indicates that despite past disobedience, God will bring blessing and prosperity to Israel when they turn to Him. (Zechariah 7:8-10)
Why did God reject Israel's prayers and fasting?
God rejected Israel's prayers and fasting because they were more concerned with rituals than with living according to His commandments of justice and mercy. (Zechariah 7:5-6)
What does the "land of oppression" mentioned in Zechariah 7 mean?
The "land of oppression" symbolizes Israel's plight, marked by disobedience and suffering, which would be transformed by divine restoration. (Zechariah 7:14)
