The dialogue between God and Israel

“‘Your fathers, where are they now?’” (v 5). This is a question from God to the people of Israel. The obvious answer is, “They died under judgment just as the prophets had prophesied.” Next comes the statement, “‘And the prophets, do they live forever?’” (v 5b). This is a question from the people to God. In other words, they objected (questioned) to God saying, “The prophets also died. If both the fathers and the prophets died, what difference is there between them?” The answer from God is found in verse 6. “‘But did My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, not overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said, “Just as the Lord of armies planned to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.”’” (1) The words that God spoke through the prophets pressed the people of Israel to repent. (2) This is in accordance with the stipulations of Deuteronomy 28. When the people of Israel fell into sin, curses, instead of blessings, “overtook” them and “destroyed” them. (3) As a result, in the land of captivity, their forefathers repented. Repentance brings about the forgiveness of sins.

Isaiah 40:6-8

The prophets died, but the prophecies they spoke (the word of God) were fulfilled. This is precisely the principle written in Isaiah 40:6-8. “A voice says, ‘Call out.’ Then he answered, ‘What shall I call out?’ All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; the people are indeed grass! The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Peter quotes these words from Isaiah and writes, “And this is the word which was preached to you” (ref. 1 Pet. 1:23-25). In the introductory section of the book of Zechariah (1:1-6), Zechariah urged the people of Israel to repent and return to the Lord. If they return to the Lord, He will also return to them. This truth has not changed even now. Therefore, blessed is the one who turns away from sin and returns to the Lord.