But they refused to listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear. Yes, they made their hearts as hard as flint, lest they might hear the law, and the words which Yahweh of Armies had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from Yahweh of Armies. It has come to pass that, as he called, and they refused to listen, so they will call, and I will not listen,” said Yahweh of Armies;
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Zechariah 7:11-13 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus has Yahweh of Armies spoken, saying, ‘Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother. Don’t oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.’ But they refused to listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear. Yes, they made their hearts as hard as flint, lest they might hear the law, and the words which Yahweh of Armies had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from Yahweh of Armies. It has come to pass that, as he called, and they refused to listen, so they will call, and I will not listen,” said Yahweh of Armies; “but I will scatter them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they have not known. Thus the land was desolate after them, so that no man passed through nor returned: for they made the pleasant land desolate.”
Parallel Translations
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But they refused to listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.
Yes, they made their hearts as hard as flint, lest they might hear the law, and the words which Yahweh of Armies had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from Yahweh of Armies.
It has come to pass that, as he called, and they refused to listen, so they will call, and I will not listen,” said Yahweh of Armies;
-
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
Show all 3 translations
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But they refused to attend, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.
Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His spirit by the hand of the former prophets; therefore came there great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
And it came to pass that, as He called, and they would not hear; so they shall call, and I will not hear, said the LORD of hosts;
Cross-references (71)
- Proverbs 1:24-28 (v13) Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; but you have ignored all my…
- Nehemiah 9:29 (v11) and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they were arrogant, and didn’t listen to your commandments,…
- Isaiah 1:15 (v13) When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of…
- Jeremiah 14:12 (v13) When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume…
- Jeremiah 11:11 (v13) Therefore Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on them, which they will not be able to escape; and they will cry to me, but I will not…
Show all 69 cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 36:16 (v12) but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people,…
- Micah 3:4 (v13) Then they will cry to Yahweh, but he will not answer them. Yes, he will hide his face from them at that time, because they made their deeds…
- Nehemiah 9:29-30 (v12) and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they were arrogant, and didn’t listen to your commandments,…
- Ezekiel 11:19 (v12) I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a…
- Ezekiel 36:26 (v12) I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will…
- Acts 28:27 (v12) For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their…
- Psalms 50:17 (v12) since you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?
- Psalms 81:8-12 (v13) “Hear, my people, and I will testify to you, Israel, if you would listen to me! There shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you…
- Jeremiah 8:5 (v11) Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual backsliding? They cling to deceit. They refuse to return.
- Hosea 4:16 (v11) For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow.
- Isaiah 6:10 (vv11–12) Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears,…
- Jeremiah 6:16-17 (vv11, 13) Yahweh says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for…
- Proverbs 28:9 (v13) He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
- Jeremiah 35:15 (v11) I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Every one of you must return now from his…
- Ezekiel 2:4 (v12) The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’
- Ezekiel 3:7 (v11) But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they will not listen to me; for all the house of Israel are obstinate and hard-hearted.
- Ezekiel 3:7-9 (v12) But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they will not listen to me; for all the house of Israel are obstinate and hard-hearted.…
- Daniel 9:11-12 (v12) Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice. “Therefore the curse and the oath written…
- Zechariah 1:4 (v11) Don’t you be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying: Yahweh of Armies says, ‘Return now from your evil ways, and…
- Matthew 13:15 (v12) for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive…
- Mark 4:12 (v12) that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their…
- Luke 19:42-44 (v13) saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. For the days…
- Acts 7:57 (v11) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with one accord.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (v12) and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be…
- James 4:3 (v13) You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
- Exodus 10:3 (v11) Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to…
- 2 Kings 17:13-15 (v11) Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments…
- 2 Chronicles 33:10 (v11) Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they didn’t listen.
- Nehemiah 9:17 (v11) and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion…
- Nehemiah 9:26 (v11) “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, cast your law behind their back, killed your prophets that testified against…
- Job 9:4 (v12) God who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him and prospered?
- Psalms 58:4-5 (v11) Their poison is like the poison of a snake, like a deaf cobra that stops its ear, which doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers, no matter…
- Proverbs 1:24-32 (v11) Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; but you have ignored all my…
- Proverbs 21:13 (v13) Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
- Isaiah 1:19-20 (v11) If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for…
- Isaiah 48:4 (v12) Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;
- Isaiah 50:2 (v13) Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem? Or…
- Jeremiah 5:3 (v12) O Yahweh, don’t your eyes look on truth? You have stricken them, but they were not grieved. You have consumed them, but they have refused…
- Jeremiah 7:24 (v11) But they didn’t listen or turn their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward,…
- Jeremiah 11:10 (v11) They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them.…
- Jeremiah 13:10 (v11) This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and have gone after other gods to serve them,…
- Jeremiah 17:1 (v12) “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond. It is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the…
- Jeremiah 17:23 (v11) But they didn’t listen. They didn’t turn their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction.
- Jeremiah 26:5-6 (v11) to listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send to you, even rising up early and sending them, but you have not listened;…
- Jeremiah 26:19 (v12) Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Didn’t he fear Yahweh, and entreat the favor of Yahweh, and Yahweh relented of…
- Jeremiah 36:31 (v11) I will punish him, his offspring, and his servants for their iniquity. I will bring on them, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the…
- Jeremiah 44:16 (v11) “As for the word that you have spoken to us in Yahweh’s name, we will not listen to you.
- Ezekiel 14:3 (v13) “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I…
- Ezekiel 20:3 (v13) “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live,”…
- Daniel 9:5 (v11) we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your…
- Zephaniah 3:2 (v11) She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.
- Zechariah 7:7 (v12) Aren’t these the words which Yahweh proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and its cities…
- Matthew 25:11-12 (v13) Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
- Luke 8:12 (v12) Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be…
- Luke 13:25 (v13) When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying,…
- Luke 13:34-35 (v13) “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children…
- John 3:19-20 (v12) This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.…
- Acts 7:51 (v11) “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
- Acts 7:51-52 (v12) “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. Which of the…
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (v12) who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and don’t please God, and are contrary to all men, forbidding us…
- Hebrews 10:38-39 (v11) But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back to…
- Hebrews 12:25 (v11) See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we…
- 1 Peter 1:11-12 (v12) searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and…
- 2 Peter 1:21 (v12) For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
69 distinct cross-references across this passage (71 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv11–13 The Prophet here by referring to the fathers more…
The Prophet here by referring to the fathers more sharply reproves the Jews of his age; for he saw that they differed but little from their fathers. The sum of what he says is, that the Jews in all ages dealt unfaithfully and perversely with God; for how much soever they boasted of their care and zeal for religion they yet sought to satisfy God only by vain trifles. This then was the Prophet’s object. For it is certain that there ever had been some pretense to religion in that nation but it was mere dissimulation for they were in the mean time intent on their ceremonies and when God seriously remonstrated with them their obstinacy and perverseness before concealed instantly appeared.
He therefore says that they refused to hear. He does not now accuse the dead except for this purpose to teach the people of his acre. He saw that they were solicitous about fasting at appointed seasons, while at the same time they regarded almost as nothing the main requirements of the law, even mercy, and justice, and uprightness. These are indeed the three things, which Christ mentions. (Matthew 23:23.) He then intimates that this doctrine was not new, and that their fathers had been sufficiently warned and instructed, but that they wilfully, and as it were designedly rebelled against God. In short, he pulls off their mask of ignorance; for as men for the most part seek to extenuate their sins by the plea, that they had not been clearly or seasonably taught, the Prophet declares that there was not any excuse of this kind, because they had been refractory and untameable, they had refused to hear
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To set forth more fully this perverseness, he afterwards says, that the shoulder of withdrawing had been presented by them. The Hebrews say that men serve with the shoulder, when they are submissive, and tractable, and willingly undergo the burden laid on them, according to what we have seen in Zephaniah 3:1. The Prophet now, on the contrary, says that the Jews had a refractory shoulder, as they refused to bear the yoke, but shook off every fear of God. The reason for the metaphor is this — that as burdens are carried on the shoulder, so the Lord lays the law on our shoulders, that the flesh may not lasciviate at pleasure, but be kept under restraint. He hence says, that they had presented a rebellious shoulder. The word סררת, sarret, is properly rendered declining; but some render it perverse, and others contumacious: since the meaning is the same, I contend not about the word. It is enough to know that the contumacy of the Jews is what is here condemned; for they had been wholly unteachable, and had refused to submit to God and to his word.
He afterwards mentions their ears, They made heavy their ears, lest they should hear. In short, the Prophet sought by all means to prove the Jews guilty, that they might not adduce anything to extenuate their sin: for they had in every way, with the most determined wickedness, refused to obey God, when his teaching was sufficiently clear and intelligible.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv11–12 And would not carry the Lord’s burden, which was…
And would not carry the Lord’s burden, which was sweet and easy, but would bear their own, which was heavy and grievous to the flesh, thinking to merit thereby: which similitude is taken of oxen, which shrink at the yoke, Neh. 9:29.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv11–13 Zec 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled…
Zec 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Ver. 11. But they refused to hearken] Being a nation void of counsel, Deu 32:28, not willing to know what they should do, lest they should do what they would not. Nay (said they once, when they had nothing else to say), but we will have a king.
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And pulled away the shoulder] As untamed heifers do from the yoke, or untoward porters from the burden. The Vulgate rendereth it: Averterunt scapulam recedentem, making it a metaphor from those that scornfully turn their backs upon their betters when they like not their commands; as the Earl of Essex did once upon Queen Elizabeth; whereat she, waxing impatient, gave him a cuff on the ear, bidding him be gone with a mischief. Sides and shoulders should be set to God’s work, Zep 3:9.
And stopped their ears] Heb. They made heavy their ears. See here how they proceeded by fit degrees from bad to worse (for Nemo repente fit turpissimus), noted in the many "ands" here used. There is a concatenation of vices as well as of graces; and he that is one step down the ladder of hell knoweth not where he shall stop, till he break his neck at the very bottom. Wherefore principiis obsta. Meddle not with sin; it is modest and maidenlike at first, but who knows what it may come to? We have heard of virgins so modest at first as to blush at the motions of an honest love, who, being once corrupt and debauched, have grown boldly lascivious so as to solicit others, so as to prostitute themselves to all comers. Keep thee, therefore, far from an evil matter, Exo 23:7; have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, Eph 5:11. Circa serpentis antrum positus non eris diu illaesus (Isidore). He that plays upon the hole of the asp may be suddenly stung.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv11–13 But they refused to hearken; they wilfully were ignorant,…
But they refused to hearken; they wilfully were ignorant, ant, would not consider nor understand.
Pulled away the shoulder; next they shift from doing their duty, withdraw their shoulder from the yoke of the law, Neh 9:29; Hos 4:16.
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And stopped their ears; and to make it highest contempt, they act the deaf man, stop their ears, and so turn their backs on God.
That they should not hear; all this out of an obstinate resolution to be unacquainted with God’s will and their own duty.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he…
Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried,.... The Lord by the former prophets called them to repentance and obedience:
and they would not hear; his words, nor obey his voice:
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so they cried: when they were besieged in Jerusalem, and were carried captive into Babylon:
and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts; so as to deliver them out of the hands of their enemies; see Pro 1:24.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Pulled away - Withdrew their shoulder from the yoke…
Pulled away - Withdrew their shoulder from the yoke of the law.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Verse 11. Pulled away the shoulder] From under the…
Verse 11. Pulled away the shoulder] From under the yoke of the law, like an unbroken or restive bullock in the plough.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v13 Zec 7:13-14. Therefore — On this very account; as…
Zec 7:13-14. Therefore — On this very account; as he cried — As I, by my Spirit in my prophets, called, warned, entreated, and urged them to repent, obey, and live, but they would not; so they cried — In their deep distress, and amidst their overwhelming calamities; and I would not hear — Would not answer, or regard their prayer. But I scattered them — Cast them out of their habitations, and dispersed them through distant countries; with a whirlwind — Suddenly and irresistibly; among all the nations — All the heathen, that hated them and their ways. Thus the land — Once flowing with milk and honey; once full of cities, men, and cattle; was desolate after them — Became waste as a wilderness after they were cast out; that no man passed through — An entire riddance was not only made of its inhabitants, but the very highways were desolate, so that none passed and repassed: and that which was before a pleasant land, became a mere desert.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11–13 But they gave a backsliding shoulder - Like a…
But they gave a backsliding shoulder - Like a restive animal, which would not endure the yoke, dull and stupid as the beasts: as Hosea says, “Israel slideth back like a backsliding heifer” Hos 4:16. Nehemiah confesses the same; “they gave a backsliding shoulder and hardened their neck and would not hear” Neh 9:29.
And made heavy their ears - Fulfilling in themselves what God foretold to Isaiah would be the result of his preaching, “make their ears heavy.” The heart, which will not hearken, becomes duller by the outward hearing, as Paul says, “The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God; but that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected” Heb 6:7-8.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv11–13 Depart, so to leave the burden on their partner.…
Depart, so to leave the burden on their partner. (Hebrew) (Calmet) --- Literally, "giving way;" recedentem. Pope Sixtus V, recedentes. Septuagint, "they gave a contemptuous back," (Haydock) like a slave, whom the whip cannot correct.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv11–13 pulled away the shoulder--literally, "presented a refractory shoulder"; an…
pulled away the shoulder--literally, "presented a refractory shoulder"; an image from beasts refusing to bear the yoke (Neh 9:29, Margin).
stopped . . . ears-- (Isa 6:10; Jer 7:26; Act 7:57).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–12 11. pulled away the shoulder] Neh_9:29; Hos_4:16.
11. pulled away the shoulder] Neh_9:29; Hos_4:16.
stopped] Lit. made heavy, i.e. dull. Comp. Isa_6:10. The same word is used of the eyes, Gen_48:10, and of the tongue, Exo_4:10.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–13 (11) Pulled away the shoulder.—Better, offered a stubborn shoulder…
(11) Pulled away the shoulder.—Better, offered a stubborn shoulder (Neh_9:29), as an ox that refuses to receive the yoke.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv11–13 Pulled away the shoulder; they gave a stubborn, refractory…
Pulled away the shoulder; they gave a stubborn, refractory shoulder, like an ox which refuses to have the yoke put on his neck, or draws hack when it feels the weight. (Neh_9:29 Hos_4:16) Stopped their ears. Made their ears heavy. Ta wta autwn ebarunan (Septuagint); Isa_6:10 Isa_59:1. Three degrees of obduracy are named in this verse: they refused to listen; they resisted the warners; they exhibited open contempt for them. The full climax is given in the next verse.
The history of ungodliness.
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I GERM. The question is Self or God, our own will or God"s will. Must be settled. Pressed by prophet after prophet. The answer shows the state of the heart. "Refused to hear.
II PROGRESS. There is growth in evil, as in good Stages. "First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.
1. Wilful refusal. "Pulled away the shoulder." Sinners will not submit to be guided by the higher will. Angry and fretted, they will not bow to God"s yoke.
2. Insolent rejection. "Stopped their ears." Warnings and counsels are in vain. Pride rises to insolence. Refusal, to determined opposition and rebellion.
3. Settled obduracy. (Ver. 12) This implies a steady process. The bad is more and more gaining the mastery. Every fresh victory brings the time nearer when the evil becomes "unconquerable" (Greek adhamas).
III CONSUMMATION. (Ver. 13) The end is come.
1. Ruined character.
2. Blasted life.
3. Hopeless future.
Oh! where is that mysterious bourne, By which our path is crossed, Beyond which God himself hath sworn That he who goes is lost? "How far may we go on in sin? How long will God forbear? Where does hope end, and where begin The confines of despair? "An answer from the skies is sent, "Ye that from God depart, While it is called today, repent, And harden not your heart. (Alexander) F.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv12–13 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone
Zec_7:12
Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone
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The disease and cure of the hard heart
A man does not become profligate or altogether wicked at once.
One vice makes way for another. The people in Zechariahs time had arrived at such a prodigious height of vice, that it is said, Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone. Adamant is the hardest of all stones: it is found by the best chemists to be indissolvable. The similitude is proper to exhibit the real state of the human heart; which cannot be melted, or reduced to the genuine image of Jesus, by human art or power.
I. The disuse of the hard heart.
1. Of the symptoms or nature of it. It discovers itself in a wayward temper, a pride and stoutness of heart against God, particularly the calls of His providence, and the admonitions of His holy Word. This is the genuine character of wicked men. God is not in all their thoughts. They extinguish the remains of natural conscience. In an inflexibility against the word of truth, and the ordinances of religion. The inflexible adamantine heart defeateth the gracious designs of the Gospel. It is inflexible to the motions of Gods Holy Spirit. And this is the crowning sin. He knocks by the motions of His Holy Spirit, yet the hard heart refuseth to give Him admittance.
2. The different kinds of this disease.
(1) There is a natural hardness: a part of that natural corruption, that original guilt and inbred poison of our nature.
(2) There is an acquired hardness of heart. There are those who voluntarily strengthen themselves in their natural disobedience, and reject the counsel of God against themselves. How careful we should be to form our hearts for the Redeemer; to open those gates that the truths of the Gospel may be admitted.
(3) There is a penal hardness of heart. There is a degree above voluntary hardness, as voluntary hardness implieth something above natural. In Scripture God is said to harden mens hearts in two ways--by leaving them in their natural state; and by giving up to a reprobate mind.
(4) This hardness is either in part or in whole. Some complain of hardness and insensibility, as the present frame and temper of the soul. What contributes so much to hardness of heart in believers is, their giving too great scope to carnal delights. These may be tasted, but a large draught intoxicates.
(5) This hardness of heart is severely felt by the genuine disciples of Jesus. It is neither felt nor complained of by carnal and wicked men. But to be past feeling is a sure symptom of death, as well spiritual as natural. There is no life without feeling.
Learn--
(1) From this view of the human heart, the character of the real Christian.
(2) That nothing short of the teachings of the Holy Spirit have ever proved sufficient to affect the heart with a practical sense of the vileness of sin and its own hardness.
(3) Learn what that sacrifice is which is most acceptable and pleasing to God.
3. The causes of this spiritual malady.
(1) Ignorance. The blind mind, the obstinate will, and hard heart, inseparably accompany each other.
(2) Unbelief. The most powerful arguments and most engaging motives of our holy religion are brought from things unseen. Unless we feel the powers of the world to come, neither the joys of heaven nor the terrors of utter darkness will properly work on our fears or encourage our hopes.
(3) Custom in sinning hardens the heart.
(4) Hypocrisy. This dangerous character appears to consist of two branches: dissimulation, by which we deceive others; and formality, by which we deceive ourselves.
(5) Pride. As in the case of Pharaoh. Pride is at the bottom of every vice.
(6) The deceitfulness of sin. Sin deceiveth by general invectives. By delays. By coming plumed in the feathers of profit, or pleasure, or honours, or preferments. By presenting herself in a coat of many colours, especially in making her address in all the charms of sensual pleasures. She attacks the soul in Jacobs voice, and in an angels form. Sin, by continuance, increases upon the soul. In hardened sinners, vice prompts men to presume upon impunity.
II. The cure of this spiritual malady.
1. Serious and frequent mediations on the perfections of the Divine nature, especially His glory and power.
2. Faith in the great doctrines of the Gospel is a sovereign remedy for the most inveterate disorders of the soul.
3. Faith in Gospel ordinances is another sovereign remedy.
4. Faith in the great atonement made by our exalted High Priest is another absolutely necessary ingredient in the cure of the adamantine heart. The dignity and infinite excellence of this sacrifice will appear from its Divine appointment; from the nature of the sacrifice itself; from its noble and infinitely precious fruits; from those vast multitudes who have been saved by this sacrifice.
5. Another ingredient towards the cure of the hard heart is a proper knowledge of the guilt and demerit of transgression. The smallest deviation from the Divine law is entailed with the curse. (J. Johnston.)
The guilt of hardness of heart
There are periods in the life of every person who hears the Gospel in which his attention is called, in an especial manner, to the subject of religion; and one of the most common discoveries made at these times is this--that the heart is insensible,--that there is in it no corresponding emotions to the magnitude, or to the admitted importance of the great truths which have now become the subject of special attention. Insensibility upon the subject of religion is inexcusable. Notice that you are not destitute of sensibility and susceptibility. You are not incapable of feeling. Religion does not indeed consist in emotion. It consists, first, in a right belief, then right feeling, then right purpose, then right action. You are not destitute of those susceptibilities to which the truths of the Gospel make their appeal. Nothing is so adapted to excite these constitutional susceptibilities as the great truths of religion. Consider the subjects of immortality, the being and character of God. God is love. Then why do you not love Him whom you should love supremely? We are capable of reverence, and God is the most venerable being in the universe. There is in Him independence, eternal existence, majesty, power, dominion, sovereignty, the terribleness of wrath, greatness of mercy, all of which qualities are capable of inspiring the soul of man with the profoundest feeling of reverence. Fearful, said Moses of God, fearful in praises. Consider the great work of redemption. God from His holy throne looking down upon a lost race. God meeting the demands of His own justice, and in order to sustain the principles of His moral government, condescending to be Himself the victim of the law, and a sacrifice to its penal demands. Will you tell me, you who confess to this charge of religious insensibility, will you tell me why you have never sympathised with the Divine compassion? You have looked upon that scene of the Father giving up His only begotten Son to save a lost race, and you never felt that, you never admired, never loved, never thanked, never praised Him for it! It is not that God has made you so, not that religion is not calculated to enlist your feelings on its behalf, there must be some other cause. Your hardness of heart is the result of apostasy. It is the issue, the fatal issue of a process, directly and completely adapted to the end, and incessantly practised up to the present moment. Who is it that is now complaining of moral insensibilities? Is it that person who has cherished the teachings of maternal kindness, and the sentiments inspired from time to time by the solemn admonitions of providence, and the more solemn warnings of life? Oh, no! I apprehend a fair review of your life will take away your surprise at any present hardness of heart. You have the power of commanding your thoughts, of fixing your attention on any subject. You can then command your thoughts, control the current of your thoughts, and the attention of your mind, keep your mental eye fixed upon all that is pure, lovely, noble, vast, glorious, upon God, the human soul, immortality, redemption, the great, the vast interests of the human race. Keep your thoughts up, and your soul will go up; keep your thoughts high, and your character will be elevated; keep your thoughts high, and your hopes will be pure, elevating, high. I am not speaking of this life only, I go beyond that. You will notice, in regard to your own mind, that some subjects approve themselves to you, by the operation of the passions. The passions have their own objects, and when they are at work in the soul, they bring into the imagination those thoughts and visions which are apt to feed themselves. Bodily appetites have their passions, and they control the trains of thought. What I wish to observe is, that the passions, the appetites, the senses, the general conversation of life, the character of the literature of the day, all tend to make you worldly and sinful and not religious. They do not suggest the great truths of religion, nor tend to keep them before the mind. Spiritual subjects must be kept before you by an effort of your will; your thoughts must be raised by meditating upon the Divine will. The hardness of heart which you may be feeling tonight, runs back through the history of your life, and could be traced to a period quite remote from the present. The text is true, You have made your heart as an adamant stone. What a comparison this is to make! Like an adamant stone all moral culture is lost upon it. (E. N. Kirk.)
Gospel hardened
I was on a visit lately at a country village. The first morning I was there, I was awakened very early by the sound of a horn blowing, which continued for about a quarter of an hour. It disturbed me every morning, at the same hour, and on speaking of it to my friends, they assured me that I would soon get accustomed to it, and it would then cease to disturb me. And so it proved. I could soon sleep on undisturbed, though the horn blew as usual. In a spiritual sense I think this is the most dangerous state into which a man can fall. When they hear the Gospel preached to them at first, they seem to waken out of a sleep, and get disturbed and uncomfortable; but if they do not take advantage of what they hear, they get accustomed to it, and by and by can listen to any Gospel sermon without being moved by it. Such a mans state is worse than at the first, for Gods Spirit has ceased to strive with him. (Christian Herald.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv11, 13 set their shoulders stubbornly
set their shoulders stubbornly
This is an image of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. This metaphor represents the people being stubborn. AT: "became stubborn" (See: Metaphor)
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They stopped up their ears so they would not hear
This is an image of people putting something into their ears so they would not hear the message from Yahweh. This metaphor represents the people not being willing to hear and obey. AT: "They refused to listen" (See: Metaphor)
They made their hearts as hard as rock so they would not hear the law or the words of Yahweh of hosts
The people refusing to hear and obey Yahweh are compared to their being as unyielding as rock. Here the heart represents the will of a person. AT: "They stubbornly refused to hear the law or the words of Yahweh of hosts" (See: Simile)
in earlier times
"in the past"
by the mouth of the prophets
Here the "mouth of the prophets" is a metonym for the words that the prophets speak. AT: "through the words of the prophets" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
heart
law
Yahweh of hosts
send
Holy Spirit
anger
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv11–12 7:11 Your ancestors refused to listen: They ignored God’s…
7:11 Your ancestors refused to listen: They ignored God’s commands (see Jer 11:10). • stubbornly turned away (or set a defiant shoulder): The idiom signifies haughty stubbornness (see Neh 9:29). • Put their fingers in their ears places full responsibility upon the people for their obstinacy (cp. Isa 6:10). The same expression is used of Pharaoh when he “became stubborn” (or “hardened his heart”) against God and refused to release the Hebrews (Exod 8:32).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.