Zec 8:18 | 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

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).