撒迦利亞看見一系列的夜間異象之後兩年，他代百姓向上帝提出一個問題：「回歸的餘民應繼續守他們為紀念被擄至巴比倫而舉行的禁食嗎？」上帝的回答是：公正、慈愛、和憐憫勝過不誠心的禁食。撒迦利亞秉此原則描繪出一幅以色列未來榮耀的景象；上帝將祝福這個國家，使她們的禁食變為節慶－－這個應許是要鼓勵餘民現在就過公義的生活。

        最近有一項呼籲人們行善的要求提出這麼一句挑戰：「為上帝做一些特別的事。」但那真的可能嗎？
        在撒迦利亞的時代，猶太人設定一系列禁食日，用以紀念他們被擄的悲劇事件。當他們讓自己的胃腸咕嚕作響之際，毫無疑問的，他們也覺得自己加倍的敬虔。上帝當然也注意到他們克己的苦心。但聽聽上帝藉著祂的先知怎麼說:「你們……禁食悲哀，豈是絲毫向我禁食嗎？」(7：5)答案顯然是:「不是!」他們其實是為自己禁食(然後吃暍宴樂)。
        保羅在歌羅西書三章十七節延續這個相同的思想:「無論做什麽，或說話、或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著祂感謝父上帝。」無論你做什麼－－禮拜天或禮拜五，或禁食或設宴－－都應榮耀上帝。在幾張便條紙上寫下這句話:「都要奉主耶穌的名而做」。將它們貼在冰箱、浴室鏡子、書桌上，以及你會常常看到的地方。讓這句話提醒你所做的每一件事，都應是為上帝而做的特別的事。

污史之城
        禁食與否的問題是伯特利(「上帝的家」，7:2)人提出來的。該城正是耶羅波安王在以色列人還未被擄之前帶領百姓敬拜牛犢的地方(王上12:26－30)。撒迦利亞小心的答覆確定了一件事:偶像的敬拜將不會再出現於該地。

人看見你的行為，但上帝看見你的動機。

English

        Two years after his series of night visions, Zechariah addresses a question that has arisen during his ministry: "Should the returned remnant continue to observe days of fasting to commemorate the events of the deportation to Babylon?" God's answer: Justice, mercy, and compassion are more important than insincere fasts. With that principle in view, Zechariah presents a glorious picture of God's future blessings for the nation when there will be feasting instead of fasting—a promise designed to encourage the remnant to live righteously in the present day as well.

        A recent appeal for a worthy charity began with this challenge: "Do something special for God." But is that really possible?
        The Jews of Zechariah's day had set up a whole series of fasts to commemorate the tragic events of the Exile. No doubt as their stomachs growled on those occasions, they felt doubly religious. Surely God was taking notice of their self-denial. But look at God's response through His prophet: "When ye fasted and mourned ,.. did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?" (7:5). The implied answer is "No!" They were really fasting (and later feasting) for themselves.
        Paul continues this same thought in Colossians 3:17 when he says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.'' Whatever you do—on Sunday or Friday, whether fasting or feasting—should be to God's glory. On a slip of paper write or type these words: "Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Place the note on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, or desk where you will see it often today. Then allow its message to help you make everything you do be something special for God.

A City with a Sordid History —
        The question of fasting was raised by the people of Bethel ("house of God," 7:2), the site where King Jeroboam led the people in calf worship before the Exile (1 Kings 12:26-30). Zechariah's careful response helped ensure that an idolatrous form of worship would not spring up there again.

Man sees your actions, but Cod sees your motives.