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"Joy and gladness and cheerful feasts"

Text: Zechariah 8:19

THE FINAL WORD CONCERNING THE FASTS

Zechariah 7:1-7 describes a delegation that was sent to the priests concerning the fasts that were observed by those who went into captivity. The LORD gave a long answer. The final word from Him is found in the following text.

“Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘The fast of the fourth month,
The fast of the fifth,
The fast of the seventh,
And the fast of the tenth,
Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts
For the house of Judah.
Therefore love truth and peace.'”
Zechariah 8:18-19

1. The four fasts understood

a) The fast of the fourth month

This was supposed to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem.

The city walls were broken down (Jeremiah 52:6-7).

b) The fast of the fifth month

This was supposed to commemorate the destruction of the Temple, Royal and other buildings (Jeremiah 52:12-13).

c) The fast of the seventh month

This was supposed to commemorate the slaying of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-3).

d) The fast of the tenth month

This was supposed to commemorate the time when Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and laid siege to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:4-5).

2. Cessation of the man-made fasts

a) There was no need for these man-made fasts any further.

b) In God’s plan of restoration, the observation of these fasts would be out of place.

3. “Cheerful feasts”

a) God would give to His people feasts days and not fast days.

b) “Joy and gladness”

The LORD would give these things to His restored people.

c) Cheerful feasts for the house of Judah:

i) Judah had suffered 70 years in captivity.

ii) It had finally learned its lesson about the folly and danger of idolatry.

d) The challenge now was to learn how to “love truth and peace”.