Zechariah 7:4-7 Obeying The Word.

Again “the word of the LORD came to Zechariah,” and it is in part an answer to the question just asked as to whether the people should carry on with fasting (v. 4). The LORD asks them whether they really did fast and mourn for the Him (v. 5 Cf. 1:12; Is. 58:1-8; Jer. 41:1)? It was a rhetorical question, because of course the LORD knew the answer. Not only did they not fast for Him, they did not eat or drink to Him either, but only for themselves (v. 6 Cf. I Chr. 29:22; Rom. 14:6). They were outwardly religious, but they had failed to obey “the words which the LORD of hosts has sent by His Spirit through the former prophets” (v. 7a Cf. 1:4). They did this even though the land was inhabited-they did not lack (v. 7b Cf. Jer. 17:26).