Zechariah 7:6

And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

Zechariah 7:6 (KJV)

Context

Zechariah prophesied to the people who had returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. In Zechariah 7, a delegation from Bethel came to ask whether they should continue the customary fasts that mourned the temple’s destruction. These fasts had been observed for seventy years. Zechariah responded with rhetorical questions that challenged their motives, exposing that their fasting had become self-centered ritual without genuine spiritual transformation.

Meaning

In verse 6, Zechariah turns from fasting to eating and drinking. The rhetorical question exposes that even their meals were done for their own satisfaction, not for God. This implies that their religious observances, including feasts, were performed with selfish motives. The broader context, seen in verses 8-10, reveals what God truly desires: administering true justice, showing mercy and compassion, and not oppressing the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, or the poor.

Biblical connections

The apostle Paul echoes this principle in 1 Corinthians 10:31, where he instructs believers to do all things, including eating and drinking, for the glory of God. This connection highlights the enduring relevance of Zechariah’s message.

Application

Zechariah’s message challenges us to examine our motives in worship and religious observance. It is easy to go through the motions without genuine sincerity or a heart transformed by God’s love. When we fast, pray, or attend services, we should check our hearts to ensure our actions are not driven by selfishness but by a desire to seek God’s will, grow in relationship with Him, and serve others.

True worship involves not only external actions but also deep inner transformation and genuine love for God and others. As Jesus taught, the greatest commandments are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).

Reflection

This verse challenges readers to consider whether their daily activities, even the most mundane ones like eating and drinking, are done for themselves or for God. The question probes the heart behind every ordinary action, inviting honest self-examination about whether our lives are oriented toward our own comfort or toward honoring God in all things.