Zechariah's Definition of Religion

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This chapter teaches that religion is a matter of the heart, not the practice of rituals. A case of conscience is brought up by the "children of the captivity" concerning fasting. They wanted to know if they should continue their solemn fasts, which they had, keep so religiously for the 70 years of their captivity. Zechariah gave 4 distinct answers in these two chapters.

1. He sharply condemns them for the mis-management of these fasts.
2. He exhorts them to reform their lives, which would be better than fasting.
3. He warns them to take heed of those sins that made fasting necessary.

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