Speaking to the Priests - Zechariah 7:3

In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “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; When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, ...”, and in chapter seven and verse three of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the men began, “to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of host”where we read,

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?

The verse reads, “And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “and to speak” or “and to utter, declare and proclaim” “unto the priests” which means “to the spiritual leaders” “which were in the house” or “that existed within the dwelling place, abode and habitation” “of the LORD of hosts” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is over the spiritual army of angels and warriors”, “and to the prophets” or “and toward the spokesmen and inspired men”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Zechariah shared how “Sherezer and Regemmelech” and the men with them were to talk to the spiritual leaders and inspired men who were dwelling within Jehovah God's dwelling place concerning the next question. 

The verse goes on to say, “... Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?”Zechariah continued with the words, “should I weep” or “are we to continue to mourn and cry out” “in the fifth month”which means “within the fifth lunar month or new moon”, “separating myself” or “consecrating, dedicating and keeping sacredly keeping my own self”, “as I have done” which means “similar and in likeness to the way I, have fashioned, accomplished and produced” “so many years” or “for a long and great number of years”. Zechariah shared how the people of Israel wanted “Sherezer and Regemmelech” and the men with them to inquire as to whether they were to continue “fasting” and keeping themselves separated even as they did for the time they were exiled in Babylon.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the people of Israel wanted to know if they were to continue their spiritual practice of “fasting” because they were no longer exiled in Babylon. We can sense their tiring of separating themselves to “fast” before God, and they wondered if they were to continue in that practice. We shall see what the “LORD” has to say about this in our next verse, but let us be reminded that Jesus said, “when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (See Matthew 6:16), and His idea was that not only should people fast, but they were to do so as unto the LORD. God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of “fasting” in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

Next time Zechariah says, “then came the word of the LORD of hosts to me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".