And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius…
“And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the so”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A prophetic rebuke of superficial fasting and self‑indulgence, urging sincere devotion.
In simple terms: Empty rituals are meaningless without true heart.
Key Takeaway
Practice authentic devotion, not hollow rites.
Themes
faith
ritual
authenticity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- religious observance
- personal repentance
- community worship
Key Concepts
prophetic warning
spiritual integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does genuine worship look like today?
- How can rituals stay meaningful?
A Different Perspective
May overlook cultural context of ancient rites.