Chapter 7:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Haggai Malachi
Zechariah 7
Concise Complete
The captives' inquiry respecting fasting. (1-7) Sin
the cause of their captivity. (8-14)
Verses 1-7 If we
truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we must not only
consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those
who would know God's mind should consult God's ministers; and, in doubtful
cases, ask advice of those whose special business it is to search the
Scriptures. The Jews seemed to question whether they ought to continue their
fasts, seeing that the city and temple were likely to be finished. The first
answer to their inquiry is a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not
acceptable to God, unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose.
There was the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercises
are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glory as our
end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self was the centre of all
their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fast days; they should have
searched the Scriptures of the prophets, that they might have seen what was the
ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity
or adversity, they must be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their
duty.
Verses 8-14
God's judgements upon Israel of old for their sins, were written to warn
Christians. The duties required are, not keeping fasts and offering sacrifices,
but doing justly and loving mercy, which tend to the public welfare and peace.
The law of God lays restraint upon the heart. But they filled their minds with
prejudices against the word of God. Nothing is harder than the heart of a
presumptuous sinner. See the fatal consequences of this to their fathers. Great
sins against the Lord of hosts, bring great wrath from his power, which cannot
be resisted. Sin, if regarded in the heart, will certainly spoil the success of
prayer. The Lord always hears the cry of the broken-hearted penitent; yet all
who die impenitent and unbelieving, will find no remedy or refuge from miseries
which while here they despised and defied, but which they then will not be able
to bear.
Chapter 7:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Haggai Malachi
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
