The temple is well on it's way to being completed when the people of Bethel sent representatives to ask the priests if they should continue to mourn and fast as they have done in the past. This prompted the following response from God through Zechariah:
Then the word of the LORD Almighty came to me: "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? - Zech. 7:4-6 NIV
'Fasting, feasting,' God told Zechariah, 'it doesn't make any difference. It's what's in the heart that makes a difference. My prophets have been telling the people the same thing for years.'
And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.' - Zech. 7:8-10 NIV
" 'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty. 'I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land was left so desolate behind them that no one could come or go. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.' " - Zech. 7:13-14 NIV
God has told his people over and over again that fasting, feasting, offerings and worship are not what he is looking for. He is looking for humble and contrite hearts. He is looking for justice and mercy.
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