Chapter 7

Time stamped 4th year of Darius. 9th month, 4th day.  A short chapter.  Seems that several men came and asked if they were to fast instead of feast in the fifth and seventh months.  These were "big" months because they had set feasts in them.  During the exile, since they could not sacrifice, and there was no temple, they had fasted during this time.  God's answer was to remind them that in the old days, they kept the feasts, but they were evil, and kept it not for God but for themselves, ignoring the prophets sent to call them to repentance.  God says that the "ritual" of the set feasts is not the point anyway.  Just like their fathers, they are about to make the same mistake.  If they feast, it should be for God, NOT just to say they are following the law!