Verses 6-7
Likewise when the people ate and drank they did it for themselves rather than to please the Lord. They were simply perpetuating the selfishness for which former prophets had rebuked their ancestors. The prophets in view had lived before the captivity when the whole land and its cities were still full of inhabitants (e.g., Isaiah 58:3-9; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:12). Now there were far fewer Israelites occupying the land. The Negev to the south of Beersheba and the foothills (Shephelah) toward the Mediterranean coast were grazing and agricultural areas in which the returnees had not yet settled.
"Note that the inquiry put by the Bethel committee is not being answered directly. In fact, throughout chapters 7 and 8 no direct answer is offered. The reason is: the question is not an important issue. However, the attitude revealed by that question is of sufficient moment to receive exhaustive treatment." [Note: Leupold, p. 133.]
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