Abstain Almighty Armies Belong Fast Fifth Hosts Month Mourn Myself Past Priests Prophets Saying Separated Separating Speak Speaking Weep Weeping
7:3 [And] to speak to the priests who [were] in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I {c} weep in the fifth month, {d} separating myself, as I have done these so many {e} years?
(c) By weeping and mourning are shown what exercises they used in their fasting.
(d) That is, prepare myself with all devotion to his fast.
(e) Which had been since the time the temple was destroyed.
7:3 The prophets - Haggai and Zechariah. Weep - Fast, in remembrance of the burning of the temple on the tenth day of that month. Separating myself - From worldly cares and designs.
7:1-7 If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we must not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God's ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose special business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to question whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city and temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry is a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God, unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There was the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercises are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glory as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self was the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fast days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, that they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they must be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.
Abstain Armies Belong Fast Fifth Hosts House Month Mourn Past Priests Prophets Separated Separating Speak Speaking Weep Weeping
Abstain Armies Belong Fast Fifth Hosts House Month Mourn Past Priests Prophets Separated Separating Speak Speaking Weep Weeping
