The New Era (Chs. 7, 8). 

        The fall of Jerusalem had led to the introduction of four fasts (8:19) — for that of the fourth month see IIKings 25:3f; Jer. 39:2f; for that of the fifth IIKings 25:8ff; Jer. 52; 12ff; for that of the seventh IIKings 25:25; for that of the tenth IIKings 25:1; Jer. 39:1. The men of Bethel had now come to realize that with the restoration the keeping of them was questionable sense — ritual often paralyses common sense and is maintained long after it has lost its meaning — and so they came to lay the matter before the Jerusalem authorities. This ledd to a series of four prophetic messages by Zechariah.

        7:4-14 deals with the true meaning of fasting and reminds us strongly of Isa. 58:1-12; it reaffirms the old prophetic stress on social righteousness.

        8:1-8 gives a picture of the glorious future of Jerusalem.

        8:9-17 contrasts the condition after the return from exile with the future, and gives the conditions for prosperity.

        8:18-23 gives a concluding picture of the future when Jerusalem will be the religious centre of the world.