CHAPTER XII
AS shown in the exposition of the 7th chapter, of which the scripture we are now to consider is a continuation, the message which the prophet was inspired to deliver, not only to the deputation from Bethel, but " to all the people of the land," in answer to the ques tion whether they should continue to observe the fasts which had been appointed in celebration of certain sad anniversaries connected with the destruction of the Temple and the desolations of the land by the Chaldeans, divides itself into two parts.
The first, which I have described as the negative part of the answer, is contained in chap. vii.; and the second, or positive part, in chap. viii. " Each of these two larger divisions," to repeat some sentences from the previous exposition, " is, however, again subdivided into two sections the whole answer thus falling into four parts, each of which begins with the words, And the word of Jehovah of hosts came to me, saying (vii. 4, 8, viii. I, 18) the usual formula, as has already been pointed out, by which the prophets authenticated their messages as being not of, or from, themselves, but from the mouth of the Lord."
The negative part of the answer in the 7th chapter may, moreover, be regarded in a very important sense as preparatory to the debharim tobltim debharim nicJiummim ("good words, even comforting words," i. 13), which the prophet proceeds to unfold in the glorious prophecy in chap, viii., inasmuch as chap. vii. is practically a call to repentance, and a solemn reminder that their sorrows were the direct consequence of their sins, and that before Israel's fasts shall at last turn to feasts, and they shall enjoy the "
