Zechariah 7:6
“And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?”
Context:The book of Zechariah is one of the prophetic books in the Old Testament. It contains prophecies and messages of encouragement for the people of Israel, specifically those who had returned from the Babylonian exile to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah delivered these prophecies during the reign of King Darius of Persia.
Explanation: In Zechariah 7, the people of Bethel, along with some others, sent a delegation to Jerusalem to inquire about fasting. They were observing a customary fast mourning the destruction of the temple during the Babylonian exile. They sought guidance from the priests and the prophets regarding whether they should continue this fast now that the temple was being rebuilt.
In response to their inquiry, Zechariah posed a series of rhetorical questions to the people, including the one mentioned in Zechariah 7:6. He questioned their motives behind observing the fast and challenged them to reflect on their actions. The question highlights the self-centredness of their fasting and reminds them to consider their attitudes and intentions.
Zechariah emphasised that their fasting had become mere rituals without genuine spiritual transformation. The people were more concerned about themselves, seeking their own interests and desires while neglecting the heart of true worship and devotion to God.
Application: Zechariah’s message is relevant to us today as well. It challenges us to examine our motives and intentions in our acts of worship and religious observance. It is easy to fall into a pattern of going through the motions without genuine sincerity or a heart transformed by God’s love.
When we engage in spiritual practices such as fasting, prayer, or attending religious services, we should do so with the right motives. It is essential to check our hearts and ensure that our actions are not driven by selfishness, but rather by a desire to seek God’s will, grow in our relationship with Him, and serve others.
True worship involves not only external actions but also a deep inner transformation and a genuine love for God and our fellow human beings. 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).
