Zechariah 7:12

They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

Study Bible

They made their hearts like flint
This phrase indicates a deliberate hardening of the heart, symbolizing resistance and stubbornness. Flint is a hard stone, suggesting an unyielding and impenetrable attitude. In biblical context, a hardened heart often signifies rebellion against God (Exodus 7:13). This imagery is used to describe the Israelites' refusal to heed God's commands, reflecting a spiritual insensitivity and unwillingness to repent.

and would not listen to the law
The law refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God's commandments and instructions for His people. The Israelites' refusal to listen indicates a rejection of God's covenant and guidance. This disobedience is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the people often turn away from God's statutes, leading to consequences (Deuteronomy 28).

or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets
The "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's sovereignty and power. The prophets were God's messengers, inspired by the Holy Spirit to deliver His words. This phrase highlights the divine origin of the prophetic messages and the people's disregard for them. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel warned Israel of the consequences of their disobedience, yet they were often ignored or persecuted (Jeremiah 25:4).

Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts
God's anger is a response to persistent disobedience and rejection of His word. This anger is not arbitrary but a just reaction to the covenant violations by His people. The consequences of this anger were often manifested in the form of judgment, such as exile or destruction (2 Kings 17:18). This serves as a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing God's holiness and justice.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
A prophet who ministered to the people of Judah after their return from Babylonian exile. His messages often focused on repentance and the coming of the Messiah.

2. The People of Judah
The audience of Zechariah's prophecy, who had returned from exile and were in the process of rebuilding their community and temple.

3. The LORD of Hosts
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies, highlighting His power and authority.

4. Earlier Prophets
Refers to the prophets who came before Zechariah, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others, who delivered God's messages to His people.

5. The Law
The Torah, or the first five books of the Bible, which contains God's commandments and instructions for His people.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Hardening Hearts
Just as the people of Judah hardened their hearts like flint, we must be vigilant against becoming spiritually callous. Regular self-examination and repentance are crucial to maintaining a soft heart toward God.

The Importance of Listening to God's Word
The refusal to hear the law and the prophets led to God's anger. We must prioritize listening to and obeying God's Word, recognizing it as the ultimate authority in our lives.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The verse highlights that the words of the prophets were sent by God's Spirit. We should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in understanding and applying Scripture to our lives.

Consequences of Disobedience
The great anger of the LORD serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience. God's patience is immense, but His justice is certain.

Bible Study Questions

1. What are some ways we might harden our hearts against God's Word today, and how can we guard against this tendency?

2. How does understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in delivering God's messages through the prophets impact our view of Scripture?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are not just hearers of the Word, but doers as well, in light of Zechariah 7:12?

4. How do the warnings in Zechariah 7:12 relate to the New Testament teachings on obedience and faithfulness?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of not listening to God's guidance. What did you learn, and how can that experience help you grow in your faith?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 17:23
This verse speaks of the people's stubbornness and refusal to listen to God's commands, similar to the hard-heartedness described in Zechariah 7:12.

Ezekiel 3:7-9
God tells Ezekiel that the people are hard-hearted and stubborn, and He makes Ezekiel's forehead like flint to stand against them, paralleling the imagery of hardened hearts in Zechariah.

Hebrews 3:7-8
The writer of Hebrews warns against hardening hearts as the Israelites did in the wilderness, echoing the warning in Zechariah.