And he sought the Lord in the days of Zacharias that understood and saw God: and as long as he sought the Lord, he directed him in all things.
וַיְהִי֙ לִדְרֹ֣שׁ אֱלֹהִ֔ים בִּימֵ֣י זְכַרְיָ֔הוּ הַמֵּבִ֖ין בִּרְאֹ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וּבִימֵי֙ דָּרְשׁ֣וֹ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה הִצְלִיח֖וֹ הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 4 commentaries
During the era of Jeroboam, Azariah, known as Hosea, was crowned king over Judah in Jerusalem. Like Jeroboam, he posed a significant threat to the nations surrounding him and valiantly overcame those who plundered Judah. He was a devout individual and a champion of righteousness. In Am. 1:1
While Zechariah, the priest known for his wisdom, was alive, Hosea found favor with God and approached the altar with profound respect. However, upon Zechariah's passing, desiring to perform offerings himself...
During the time of Zechariah the priest, known for his wisdom, Hosea sought to honor God and approached His altar with great respect.
Commencing with the interpretation of verse 9 (symbolic of the soul), the Scripture tells us, ‘And Hosea sought the Lord in the days of Zechariah, who knew the fear of the Lord.’ The name ‘Zechariah’ can be understood as ‘mindful of God.’ Consequently, the mind, anchored in the remembrance of God, seeks the Lord through contemplation. This seeking is not superficial; rather, it is accompanied by a reverence for the Lord, meaning it is pursued through the observance of His commandments. For one who seeks the Lord through contemplation without action will not discover Him, as such a seeker has not approached the Lord with the reverence due to Him.
The Lord shall bless him, for He responds quickly to every individual who engages in spiritual endeavors through understanding, guiding them in the paths of fulfilling His commandments and revealing to them the truth of all things. The Scripture suggests that the name ‘Zacharias’ in Greek signifies ‘remembrance of God.’ Therefore, we should consistently petition the Lord that His remembrance remains within us, ensuring that the good condition of the soul, once achieved, does not diminish, even as it ascends to greater heights and, like Hosea, endeavors to reach beyond the natural order.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS