Zechariah 7

Zechariah 7:1

CHisten] Which containeth part of November and part of December.

Zechariah 7:2

When they had sent] Namely, the Priests and Levites, who yet remained in Babylon.

to pray before the LORD] Heb. to intreat the face of the LORD. To wit, in the Temple, which was in reedifying in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 7:3

Should I weep in the fifth moneth] Are we in conscience to keep the solemne fast, appointed to be in the fifth moneth, by reason of the destruction of the Temple, which happened at that time, 2 King. 25. 8, 9. Jer. 52. 12, 13. now that it is reedified, and Gods service restored, seeing the keeping of it is not commanded in the law of God? See Malachi 3:14.

separating my self] From feasts, company of women, and all other carnall delights. See Exodus 19:14-15. 1 Samuel 21:5.

Zechariah 7:5

priests] For there were both of the people and of the Priests, which doubted as touching this controversie, besides them which yet remained in Chaldea, and reasoned of it, as of one of the points of their religion.

fasted and mourned] Isaiah 58:5.

seventh moneth] This other fast was appointed for the death of Gedaliah, which happened in this moneth, 2 Kings 25:25. Jeremiah 41:1, &c. whereupon followed the totall dispersion of the remainder of the people.

seventie yeers] During the captivitie Chap. 1. 12.

unto me] To humble your selves, and turne with your hearts to me: was it not onely through a carnall feeling of your evils? Isaiah 58:3. Hosea 7:14.

Zechariah 7:6

And when ye did eat] Yea in your mirth and rejoycing you have not regarded me, to yeeld me honour and thanks for my benefits, Hosea 8:13. and Hosea 9:4. Now the answer to the foresaid question is referred to this point; Your fast might be sanctified by piety, and devotion, but you had better to omit it, then profane it as ye do: and in stead of your ceremonies, endevour your selves to serve God internally, by means of which, I will change these your dolefull dayes, into dayes of feasting, and giving thanks for my benefits, Chap. 8. 19.

did not ye eat, &c.] Or, be not ye they that, &c.

Zechariah 7:7

Should ye not heare the words] Or, are not these the words. Hath not God sufficiently declared his will concerning these externall actions, and especially concerning a fast, profaned through wickednesse? Isa. 58. 3, 4.

by the former prophets] Heb. by the hand of, &c.

Jerusalem was inhabited] Or, on foot: or, in it former state.

the south and the plain] Those parts of Judea, which had most felt the desolations of warre. See Jeremiah 17:26. and Jeremiah 32:44.

Zechariah 7:9

Execute true judgement] Heb. Judge judgement of truth. He sheweth that they did not fast with a sincere heart, but for hypocrisie; and that it was not done of a pure religion, because that they lacked these offices of charitie, which should have declared that they were godly, Matthew 23:23. Mic. 6. 8.

Zechariah 7:10

oppresse not the widow] Exod. 22. 21, 22. Isaiah 1:23. Jeremiah 5:28.

Zechariah 7:11

pulled away the shoulder] Heb. they gave a back-sliding shoulder. And would not carry the Lords burden, which was sweet and easie, but would bear their own, which was heavie and grievous to the flesh, thinking to merit thereby: Which similitude is taken from yoked oxen, which shrink at the yoke and are unwilling to draw, Nehem. 9. 29. Hosea 4:16. Zeph. 3. 9.

stopped their eares] Heb. made heavy.

Zechariah 7:12

his spirit] Which declareth that they rebelled not onely against the Prophets, but against the Spirit of God that spake in them, as Acts 7:51.

by the former Prophets] Heb. by the hand of.

a great wrath] A great punishment, the effect of great anger and displeasure.

Zechariah 7:13

come to passe] By a just and equall retaliation.

as he cried] By his Prophets early and late calling them to repent and amend.

they would not heare] Obey his voice and reforme their manners.

they cryed] Proverbs 1:28. Isaiah 1:15. Jeremiah 11:11. and Jeremiah 14:12. In their calamities for help and succour.

I would not heare] Relieve and comfort them, but left them helplesse in the hand of their enemies.

Zechariah 7:14

after them] After they have been carried away out of it.

for they laid] They have been the cause that their fine and pleasant countrey hath been laid wast.

pleasant land] Heb. land of desire.