What does Zechariah 7:11 teach about listening to God's commands today? The Verse at a Glance Zechariah 7:11: “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.” Setting the Scene • The people of Judah had asked whether they should keep fasting traditions begun during exile. • Through Zechariah, the LORD answered by reminding them of something far more important than ritual: obedient hearts. • Verse 11 records Israel’s historic response to God’s commands—willful deafness. What Refusal Looks Like • “Refused to pay attention” – a deliberate choice, not an accident. • “Turned a stubborn shoulder” – like an ox that shrugs off the yoke; resistance to rightful authority. • “Stopped up their ears” – active blocking of God’s Word, not mere distraction. Why This Still Speaks Today • God’s commands have not lost authority (Matthew 24:35). • The same human tendency to resist is alive in every heart (Jeremiah 17:9). • Scripture warns repeatedly against hardening ourselves (Hebrews 3:7-8). Timeless Lessons 1. Listening is moral, not merely mental. – Hearing without intending to obey is already disobedience (James 1:22). 2. Ritual never substitutes for responsiveness. – Fasts, services, and activities mean little if ears stay closed (Isaiah 1:11-17). 3. Stubbornness progresses. – Refusal → turning away → shutting ears → eventual judgment (Zechariah 7:13). 4. God still speaks through His written Word. – “My sheep listen to My voice” (John 10:27). Refusing Scripture silences that voice. Heart Checks • Am I selecting only comfortable passages and ignoring convicting ones? • Do I rationalize delay (“I’ll obey later”)—which is quiet refusal? • Does my schedule make space for unhurried time in the Word? Practical Ways to Keep Ears Open • Begin each reading with the resolve, “Whatever You show me, I’ll do” (Psalm 119:33-34). • Memorize key commands; recall them when choices arise (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). • Invite wise believers to speak truth into blind spots (Proverbs 27:6). • Act promptly on the smallest prompting that aligns with Scripture (Luke 11:28). Encouragement for the Obedient Listener • God delights to reveal more to receptive hearts (Psalm 25:14). • Obedience brings stability and blessing (Luke 6:47-48). • A soft, listening heart becomes a powerful testimony to a stubborn world (Philippians 2:15-16). Living It Out Today Refuse the shoulder-shrugging posture of Zechariah 7:11. Instead, lean in, listen closely, and let each command of God shape thoughts, words, and actions—today and every day. |
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