Zechariah 7-8 From Fasts to Festivals

From Fasts to Festivals

Zechariah chapters 7-8 (Go to ESV Bible passage)

Key Verse: 8:18, This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

1. When did the occasion happen (7:1, 1:7)? Who came and with what question did they come (2-3, 5, 8:18; Jer. 52:12)? Why did they ask such a question now (Ezra 6:15)?
2. What were the counter questions from the Lord Almighty (4-7)? What was their and their ancestors’ sin in doing fasting and feasting? How might the same sin happen to us? What is the true meaning of fasting (Lev. 16:29-31, 23:27-32; Isaiah 58:5-7; Mt 6:16-18)?
3. What are God’s timeless commands to his people (8-10)? How did their ancestors respond to God’s commands (11-12a)? What was God’s response to them (12b-14)? Summarize what the Lord Almighty wants from his people (1Sam 15:22-23; Micah 6:8; James 1:27).
4. In chapter 8, how many times is the word “Thus says the LORD of hosts” repeated? How does the LORD of hosts express himself for Zion (8:1-2, 1:14; Hosea 2:19; Isaiah 9:7) What will he do for his people (3-8)?
5. What encouragements does the LORD of hosts give to the remnant in Jerusalem (9-13)? In the hope of God’s blessing and purpose upon Zion, what are they to do (14-17a, 7:8-9; Eph 4:25)? And why (17b)?
6. What is the definitive answer of the LORD of hosts to their initial question(18-19)? How shall the LORD of hosts transform fasts into feasts (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jn 19:30; 2Co 5:17; Ro 8:31-38; Rev. 21:4)? What is God’s future plan through Jerusalem for the world(20-23)? How can we participate in the transformative work of the LORD of hosts (Mt 5:14-16)?