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"The priests who were in the house of the LORD"

Text: Zechariah 7:3

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION I

The practice of faith in the Lord required more than just observing religious rituals. What the LORD God required from Israel was very clear (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Nevertheless, Israel tended to focus on rituals. One such ritual was the issue of fasting.

“Now in the fourth year of King Darius
it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah,
on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev,
when the people sent Sherezer, with Regem-Melech and his men,
to the house of God, to pray before the LORD,
and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts,
and the prophets, saying,
‘Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?'”
Zechariah 7:1-3

1. Historical context

This event took place in the 4th year of the reign of King Darius.

2. A delegation of two was sent

a) Sherezer

b) Regem-Melech

He was accompanied by “his men”.

3. A translational challenge to be noted

“They came to the house of the LORD” (Zechariah 7:2).

a) The preposition was written in italics.

b) The sentence is better understood when it is translated with the word “from”.

4. The delegation of two

a) They had come from the house of God (Bethel).

b) They had come to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

c) They also came to ask the priests some questions.

d) The prophets were also informed about their questions.

5. They wanted to hear the opinion of the priests and the prophets.

6. Zechariah was informed by the LORD concerning this visit.