Zechariah 7:12

“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.”

This verse is part of the book of Zechariah, a prophetic book in the Old Testament. In this passage, Zechariah is rebuking the people of Israel for their disobedience and stubbornness. Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning in context.

“Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone”: The people of Israel are described as hardening their hearts like an adamant stone. This imagery emphasises their stubbornness and unwillingness to listen to God’s instructions and warnings. Just as a stone is unyielding and unresponsive, the people have hardened their hearts against God’s message.

“Lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets”: The reason for their hardened hearts is their deliberate avoidance of hearing and obeying the law of God and the messages delivered by the previous prophets. God had spoken to the Israelites through the prophets in the past, providing them with guidance, warnings, and instructions. However, they chose to ignore and reject these messages.

“Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts”: Because of their disobedience and hardness of heart, God’s anger and judgment were provoked. The Lord of hosts, the Almighty God, responds with His wrath. This implies that there would be consequences for their actions and a punishment from God.

Overall, Zechariah 7:12 serves as a reminder of the importance of attentively listening to God’s Word, obeying His commands, and not hardening our hearts against His instructions. It also highlights the consequences that can result from neglecting or rejecting God’s messages.

This verse also emphasises the continuity of God’s message throughout history. The phrase “by the former prophets” refers to the previous messengers of God who delivered His word. It shows that God consistently communicates His will to His people, and disregarding His message has serious consequences.

It’s essential to study and reflect on these passages to learn from the mistakes of the past, align ourselves with God’s will, and avoid the hardening of our hearts towards His Word.