What does Zechariah chapters 7 and 8 teach us today?

Answer 1

Jewish answer: Zechariah ch.7-8 is a prophecy of admonishment and of hope. It occurred in the context of the Second Temple's being built, when the Jews asked Zechariah if they should still fast and mourn for the Destruction of the First Temple (7:1-3). The prophet answers them: a) with implied warning (7:7-14 and 8:16-17); b) with hope (8:1-15 and 20-23); and c) with a direct answer to their question (see 8:19).

The admonishment and its implied warning consists of verses reminding the people that the First Destruction happened because the populace hadn't obeyed God enough.

The verses of hope consists of prophecy stating that the land will prosper once again.

The commentaries (especially Malbim commentary) write that Zechariah didn't state clearly if he meant that the prosperity would be immediate (in Second Temple times) or in the eventual future, because he was hinting that it would depend on their behavior; if they would keep the Torah sufficiently.

After the above summary, the lesson for us today should be self-evident.

Answer 2

Jewish answer: Zechariah ch.7-8 is a prophecy of admonishment and of hope. It occurred in the context of the Second Temple's being built, when the Jews asked Zechariah if they should still fast and mourn for the Destruction of the First Temple (7:1-3). The prophet answers them: a) with implied warning (7:7-14 and 8:16-17); b) with hope (8:1-15 and 20-23); and c) with a direct answer to their question (see 8:19).
The admonishment and its implied warning consists of verses reminding the people that the First Destruction happened because the populace hadn't obeyed God enough.
The verses of hope consists of prophecy stating that the land will prosper once again.
The commentaries (especially Malbim commentary) write that Zechariah didn't state clearly if he meant that the prosperity would be immediate (in Second Temple times) or in the eventual future, because he was hinting that it would depend on their behavior; if they would keep the Torah sufficiently.
After the above summary, the lesson for us today should be self-evident. See also the Related Links.Link: History of the Hebrew Bible

Link: Jewish history timeline

Link: Purpose of the Israelite Prophets

Answer 3

Zechariah, a prophet of the period immediately following the Babylonian Exile, campaigned vigorously for the remaining exiles to return and for the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.
Chapter 7 tells us that on the fourth day of Chislev, the ninth month, in the fourth year of Darius, the Lord spoke to Zechariah, reminding him that the people of Judah had refused to listen to him and had committed evil in their hearts, so he scattered them among the nations, and their land became desolate behind them.
In chapter 8, the Lord again came to Zechariah and said he will return to Zion (Jerusalem). The city will be full of happiness, with children playing in the streets. And God will bring back his people who are still in exile (8:7). Verse 8:9 is a renewed call for the temple to be rebuilt. In the old days, God harmed the people when they provoked him, but (8:11) he will no longer afflict the people this way, confirmed by repeated statements of "fear not" (8:13,15). Now there will be prosperity and God will cause the people to possess all these things(8:12) . In return, live together in honesty and peace (8:14-17).

The lesson that these verses give for today is not found in the verses themselves, but in the subsequent two and a half thousand years of history. In spite of God's promise, the Jews have had few periods of peace with prosperity. Either the Lord did not really come to Zechariah and make these promises, or for some reason the prophecies have yet to come to pass.

For more information on the Book of Zechariah, please visit:

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