Zechariah 7:13

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:

Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried {H7121}, and they would not hear {H8085}; so they cried {H7121}, and I would not hear {H8085}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}:

and it came about that just as they hadn't listened when he called, so ADONAI-Tzva'ot said, 'I won't listen when they call;

And just as I had called and they would not listen, so when they called I would not listen, says the LORD of Hosts.

And it is come to pass that, as he cried, and they would not hear, so they shall cry, and I will not hear, said Jehovah of hosts;

Commentary

Zechariah 7:13 delivers a powerful and sobering principle of divine justice: the reciprocal consequence of disobedience. It states that because the people refused to listen to God's calls through His prophets, God, in turn, would refuse to listen to their cries in times of distress. This verse highlights the serious implications of spiritual deafness and rebellion against the divine will, emphasizing that our actions have direct spiritual repercussions.

Context

This verse is part of Zechariah's response to a delegation from Bethel who inquired about continuing their traditional fasts, particularly the fast of the fifth month, commemorating the destruction of the Temple (Zechariah 7:3). God's message through Zechariah shifts the focus from mere ritual to genuine righteousness and obedience. Chapters 7 and 8 emphasize that true devotion is not found in outward observances but in practicing justice, mercy, and compassion (Zechariah 7:9-10). Verses 11 and 12 describe the people's stubborn refusal to heed the Law and the words of the prophets, hardening their hearts against God's instruction. Verse 13 is the direct consequence of this sustained defiance, a clear cause-and-effect relationship established by the LORD of hosts.

Key Themes

  • Reciprocal Justice: The core message is a direct correlation between human actions and divine response. Because the people "would not hear" God's prophets, God declares, "I would not hear" their cries. This principle is found throughout scripture, emphasizing that our relationship with God is a two-way street of responsive interaction, as seen in Jeremiah 7:13.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse serves as a stark warning about the inevitable repercussions of persistent rebellion against God's commands and prophetic warnings. It illustrates that spiritual indifference can lead to divine silence in times of need.
  • Importance of Hearing and Obeying: The Hebrew word for "hear" (shama') often implies not just auditory perception but also active listening and obedient response. The people's failure to truly "hear" God's word led to their dire situation.
  • Unanswered Prayer: This verse provides a biblical reason why prayers may go unanswered โ€“ a history of rejecting God's voice and commandments. It's a sobering reminder that God is not obligated to respond to those who have consistently ignored Him.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "cried" (Hebrew: ืงึธืจึธื, qara') and "hear" (Hebrew: ืฉืึธืžึทืข, shama') creates a powerful parallelism. When God's prophets "cried out" to the people, they refused to "hear" (i.e., listen and obey). Consequently, when the people "cried out" in distress, God declared He would not "hear" them. The phrase "LORD of hosts" (ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” ืฆึฐื‘ึธืื•ึนืช, Yahweh Sabaoth) underscores God's absolute sovereignty and power, making His declaration of judgment all the more authoritative and certain.

Practical Application

Zechariah 7:13 holds timeless relevance for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Active Listening: To diligently listen to and obey God's word, whether through scripture, godly counsel, or the Holy Spirit's promptings. Our willingness to hear God shapes His willingness to hear us.
  • Avoid Spiritual Indifference: To guard against hardening our hearts or becoming complacent in our faith. Persistent disobedience or apathy can lead to a spiritual disconnect.
  • Examine Our Prayers: If our prayers seem unanswered, this verse prompts self-reflection. Are there areas of unconfessed sin or persistent disobedience that might be hindering our communication with God? As Psalm 66:18 states, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."
  • Embrace Repentance: The path to restored communication and answered prayer often begins with genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in God's ways.
This verse serves as a profound reminder that God values obedience and a responsive heart above mere ritual or outward religious practice, and that our choices have significant spiritual consequences.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 1:24 (10 votes)

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

  • Proverbs 1:28 (10 votes)

    Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

  • Jeremiah 14:12 (9 votes)

    When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

  • Isaiah 1:15 (9 votes)

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  • Jeremiah 11:11 (8 votes)

    ยถ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

  • Micah 3:4 (7 votes)

    Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

  • Psalms 81:8 (4 votes)

    ยถ Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;