Zechariah 8:19

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, etc.] What follows is a full answer to the question in (<380703>Zechariah 7:3): The fast of the fourth [month]; the month Tammuz, which answers to June: this fast was kept on the ninth day of the month, on account of the city of Jerusalem being broken up on that dayf159, as it is said, (<122503>2 Kings 25:3,4 <243902>Jeremiah 39:2 52:6,7) though Kimchi says this was on the seventeenth day of that month, as also says the Misnaf160; on which day a fast was kept likewise, for the breaking of the two tables of the law on that day: the reconciliation of this with the above Scriptures is attempted in the Talmudf161 by observing, that the Scripture speaks of the first…”

“fast of . . . fourth month--On the fourth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign, on the ninth day, Jerusalem was taken (Jer 39:2; Jer 52:6-7). It was therefore made a fast day. fifth . . . seventh--(See on Zac 7:3; Zac 7:5). tenth--On the tenth month and tenth day, in the ninth year of Zedekiah, the siege began (Jer 52:4). therefore love the truth--or, "only love." English Version is better. God's blessing covenanted to Israel is not made to depend on Israel's goodness: but Israel's goodness should follow as the consequence of God's gracious promises (Zac 8:16-17; Zac 7:9-10). God will bless, but not those who harden themselves in sin.”

“The fast of the fourth month - On the ninth day “of the fourth month” of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, Jerusalem, in the extremity of famine, opened to Nebuchadnezzar, and his princes sat in her gate; in the “tenth month” of his ninth year Nebuchadnezzar began the siege. Ezekiel was bidden “on its tenth day; write thee the name of the day, of this same day,” Ezekiel 24:1-2, as the beginning of God’s uttermost judgments against “the bloody city” . The days of national sorrow were to be turned late exuberant joy, “joy and gladness and cheerful feasts” Esther 8:17; Esther 9:19, Esther 9:22; Ecclesiastes 7:14, for the sorrows, which they commemorated, were but the harbingers of joy, when the…”

“Thus saith the Lord - This verse is a final decision of the case: provided they do these things required, Zac 8:16-17, then shall the fasting cease, and turn into joyful feasts. The fourth month - Wherein the city was taken by the Babylonians. The fifth - In which the temple was burnt. The seventh - Wherein Gedaliah was killed. The tenth - On the tenth day whereof the king of Babylon's army sat down before the city. Zechariah 8:20”

“8:19 Here the Lord finally answers the question posed by the delegates from Bethel (7:2-3). • The fast in early summer commemorated the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls (2 Kgs 25:3-4; Jer 52:6-7). The midsummer fast lamented the burning of Solomon’s Temple (2 Kgs 25:8-10; Jer 52:12-14). The fast in autumn marked the assassination of Gedaliah, governor of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 25:22-25; Jer 41:1-3) or the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26-32). The fast in winter recalled the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 25:1; Jer 52:4). • The fasts will turn to feasts when God restores Israel and sets his glory among the nations (Isa 65:18-19).”

“the fourth: Kg2 25:3, Kg2 25:4; Jer 39:2, Jer 52:6, Jer 52:7 the fifth: Zac 7:3; Jer 52:12-15 the seventh: Zac 7:5; Kg2 25:25; Jer 41:1-3 the tenth: Jer 52:4 joy: Est 8:17, Est 9:22; Psa 30:11; Isa 12:1, Isa 35:10, Isa 51:11; Jer 31:12, Jer 31:13 feasts: Heb. solemn, or, set times therefore: Zac 8:16; Luk 1:74, Luk 1:75; Tit 2:11, Tit 2:12; Rev 22:15 Zechariah 8:20”