Zec 8:18-23 | KingComments | STEP | Here God answers the question concerning days of fasting. They will be days that are held full of joy. The reason for this is that they will realize that those days of fasting have their reason in their own unfaithfulness. When there is acknowledgment of sins, earlier burdens become activities that are performed full of joy. The LORD does not say that they should not fast. He lists again the two days of fasting He mentioned in the previous chapter – fasting in the fifth and seventh month ( ) – and adds two more. This brings the number of days of fasting to four. The days of fasting are linked to four terrible events in the recent history of Israel and serve as a reminder of those terrible events. 1. The fasting in the fourth month is in remembrance of the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar ( ; ). 2. The fasting in the fifth month takes place because of the destruction of the city and the temple ( ; ). 3. The fasting in the seventh month takes place in memory of the murder of Gedaliah ( ; ). 4. The fasting in the tenth month is because of the siege of Jerusalem which began on the tenth day of the tenth month ( ; ; ). Against the background of the days of fasting instituted by the people themselves, the LORD calls for the love of truth and peace. First love of truth is mentioned and then love of peace (2Tim2:22). There can be no peace without truth. God has spoken the truth, therefore they (and we) will love the truth. On the basis of truth He gives peace, therefore they (and we) will love peace. If the people love truth and peace, they will condemn their past. After all, the reasons for fasting lie in their own unfaithfulness and deviation. If they acknowledge this, these different reasons for fasting will be transformed into joy and cheerful feasts. A feast is a common thing. People come together to be happy together. The LORD will change these days of fasting into days of joy and cheerful feasts. This means that He will give them such full riches of salvation that Judah will no longer think of the earlier sad events. The new situation of blessing washes away all the suffering and sorrow of the past. There is only joy because of the blessings given to them by the grace of God ( ).

‏ Zechariah 8:18-23

The Eighth Blessing

Here God answers the question concerning days of fasting. They will be days that are held full of joy. The reason for this is that they will realize that those days of fasting have their reason in their own unfaithfulness. When there is acknowledgment of sins, earlier burdens become activities that are performed full of joy.

The LORD does not say that they should not fast. He lists again the two days of fasting He mentioned in the previous chapter – fasting in the fifth and seventh month (Zec 7:3 ; 5) – and adds two more. This brings the number of days of fasting to four.

The days of fasting are linked to four terrible events in the recent history of Israel and serve as a reminder of those terrible events.

1. The fasting in the fourth month is in remembrance of the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (2Kgs 25:3-4; Jer 39:2 ; Jer 52:6-7).

2. The fasting in the fifth month takes place because of the destruction of the city and the temple (2Kgs 25:8-9; Jer 52:12-13).

3. The fasting in the seventh month takes place in memory of the murder of Gedaliah (Jer 41:1-17; 2Kgs 25:25).

4. The fasting in the tenth month is because of the siege of Jerusalem which began on the tenth day of the tenth month (2Kgs 25:1; Jer 52:4; Eze 4:1 ; Eze 24:2).

Against the background of the days of fasting instituted by the people themselves, the LORD calls for the love of truth and peace. First love of truth is mentioned and then love of peace (2Tim2:22). There can be no peace without truth. God has spoken the truth, therefore they (and we) will love the truth. On the basis of truth He gives peace, therefore they (and we) will love peace.

If the people love truth and peace, they will condemn their past. After all, the reasons for fasting lie in their own unfaithfulness and deviation. If they acknowledge this, these different reasons for fasting will be transformed into joy and cheerful feasts. A feast is a common thing. People come together to be happy together.

The LORD will change these days of fasting into days of joy and cheerful feasts. This means that He will give them such full riches of salvation that Judah will no longer think of the earlier sad events. The new situation of blessing washes away all the suffering and sorrow of the past. There is only joy because of the blessings given to them by the grace of God (Isa 35:10).

The Ninth Blessing

The blessing will not be limited to the house of Judah (Zec 8:15), but will also extend to the peoples and inhabitants of cities outside Israel (Zec 8:20). Once Israel is converted, it will attract the world to go to that land (Isa 2:1-5; Mic 4:1-5). Contrary to the few and weak Jews who are now building the temple, there will be an enormous appeal from this people in the future. As a result, many people and mighty nations will come to Jerusalem. Their goal is to seek the LORD and worship Him there and thereby “entreat the favor of the LORD” (Isa 60:3 ; Isa 66:23).

The fact that the inhabitants will go from one city to another shows their concern for each other’s spiritual well-being (Zec 8:21). They want to encourage others to go to the place of worship and blessing “at once”. There is no time to lose. They not only encourage others, but set a good example, “I will also go”. They will take the lead themselves. The others can follow.

They show zeal for the honor and glory of God in their willingness to honor God in the place where He dwells. There is no better method for fathers to stimulate and motivate their families to go to the church meeting than to go first themselves. A good example will stimulate good followers.

Also the nations will realize that to entreat the favor of the LORD is only possible by acknowledging Him in His rights (Zec 8:22). They have not done this before, but they are doing it now. This also means that they will ask for His will, how He wants to be served and worshiped. They will ask for His law. This case requires the greatest urgency. They want to seek the face of the LORD. This means that only He is the object of their prayers and no longer something of creation or self-made idols.

The Tenth Blessing

The grasping of the slip is not done to terrorize the Jew, but indicates the desire for the blessing and privileges that the Jews possess (Num 15:38; Deu 22:12). Grasping the garment is the gesture of a supplicant (Isa 3:6 ; Isa 4:1).

Though God must work in the hearts, He would like to use the testimony of the believers to persuade people to ask for Him. Because the ten men have heard that God is with the Jews, they want to go with them. What they have heard, they have also believed. They have come because they want to share in the religious privileges of the Jews.

There is a great lack of happiness and joy in the world. If happiness and joy are found in the connection with the Lord and with each other among the believers, it will attract people from the world. They will ask us to go with us to a place where the Lord Jesus is worshiped. It is a good gospel preaching. When unbelievers come into the church, it is possible that they come to the acknowledgment that God is present (1Cor 14:25).