11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
11 "But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears.
11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.
11 "But did your ancestors listen? No, they set their jaws in defiance. They shut their ears.
11 "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear.
11 "Your ancestors refused to listen to this message. They stubbornly turned away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Zechariah 7:11
Commentary on Zechariah 7:8-14
(Read Zechariah 7:8-14)
God's judgements upon Israel of old for their sins, were written to warn Christians. The duties required are, not keeping fasts and offering sacrifices, but doing justly and loving mercy, which tend to the public welfare and peace. The law of God lays restraint upon the heart. But they filled their minds with prejudices against the word of God. Nothing is harder than the heart of a presumptuous sinner. See the fatal consequences of this to their fathers. Great sins against the Lord of hosts, bring great wrath from his power, which cannot be resisted. Sin, if regarded in the heart, will certainly spoil the success of prayer. The Lord always hears the cry of the broken-hearted penitent; yet all who die impenitent and unbelieving, will find no remedy or refuge from miseries which while here they despised and defied, but which they then will not be able to bear.