Zechariah 7
Lutheran reading notes
In Zechariah chapter 7, the prophetic message develops the theme of visions of restoration and messianic hope. Lutheran interpretation often highlights the contrast between divine judgment against sin and the promise of grace that God provides for those who trust in Him.
1
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, {that} the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth {day} of the ninth month, {even} in Chisleu;
Zechariah 7:1 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, {pray...: Heb. intreat the face of}
Zechariah 7:2 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
{And} to speak unto the priests which {were} in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
Zechariah 7:3 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
Zechariah 7:4 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh {month}, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, {even} to me?
Zechariah 7:5 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat {for yourselves}, and drink {for yourselves}? {did not ye: or, be not ye they that}
Zechariah 7:6 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
{Should ye} not {hear} the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when {men} inhabited the south and the plain? {Should...: or, Are not these the words} {by: Heb. by the hand of}
Zechariah 7:7 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
Zechariah 7:8 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: {Execute...: Heb. Judge judgment of truth}
Zechariah 7:9 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Zechariah 7:10 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. {pulled...: Heb. they gave a backsliding shoulder} {stopped: Heb. made heavy}
Zechariah 7:11 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Yea, they made their hearts {as} an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. {by: Heb. by the hand of}
13
Therefore it is come to pass, {that} as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
Zechariah 7:13 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. {pleasant...: Heb. land of desire}
Zechariah 7:14 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.