The Consequence of Closed Ears: A Devotional on Zechariah 7:11
"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." - Zechariah 7:11
In our fast-paced world, it is all too easy to tune out the voices that call us to greater awareness and deeper relationship with God. Zechariah 7:11 illustrates a pertinent truth about the human experience: "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear" (KJV). This verse serves as a profound reminder of our tendency to ignore God’s guidance and the dire implications that can follow.
### Refusing to Hear God’s Voice
At the heart of this passage lies the theme of refusal. The people of Israel were presented with God’s messages through His prophets, yet they chose to turn away. This refusal to listen can be likened to how we often respond to divine promptings in our own lives. How many times have we sensed God urging us to take a specific action or to stop a certain behavior, only to dismiss that inner voice?
Similar to the Israelites, we may find ourselves pulling away from God's will. When we refuse to listen, we are not just denying His instruction; we are also turning our backs on His love and protection. Leading up to this verse, God was calling His people to repentance and transformation, showing His desire for them to align with His heart. Yet, they chose to act in defiance, their hearts hardened like stone.
### The Danger of Stopped Ears
The metaphor of "stopped ears" aptly describes how we can close ourselves off to truth. When we harden our hearts and refuse to hear, we risk falling into patterns of sin and disobedience. Psalm 95:7–8 warns: "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart." Our ears are essential to our relationship with God; they allow us to receive His guidance, correction, and comfort.
What does it mean to stop our ears? It signifies more than just physical inability to hear. It suggests a deliberate action of choosing ignorance over understanding. Each time we ignore God's whispers, we amplify the distance between ourselves and His presence. The spiritual implications are drastic: ignoring God's instruction can lead to disillusionment, despair, and ultimately, separation from His grace.
### The Shoulder Pulled Away
The phrase "pulled away the shoulder" also paints a gripping image of defiance. The shoulder symbolizes the strength of our resolve and the actions we take in our faith journey. To pull away implies a rejection of responsibility—an unwillingness to bear the burdens that God calls us to lift. When God calls us to serve, to forgive, or to step out in faith, how often do we turn our back, refusing to engage because it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable?
As Christians, we are encouraged to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), but if we reject this call, we not only fail those around us but also miss out on the growth and blessings that come with responding to God’s will. There is great satisfaction found in engagement, in choosing to allow our ears to be open and our shoulders ready to help carry the load.
### A Call to Action
As we reflect on Zechariah 7:11, let us examine our lives for areas where we might be refusing to hearken to God’s voice. Are there divine nudges we have ignored? Relationships needing reconciliation that we have avoided? Steps of faith that we have neglected due to fear or discomfort?
Today, let us choose to open our ears to listen intently and pull our shoulders closer to God’s call, rather than away from it. Let us pray for the grace to be receptive, to heed His Word, and to respond in love and obedience. Our spiritual journey flourishes when we listen actively and are prepared to act, allowing God to lead us into greater intimacy with Him.
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Zechariah 7:11 Artwork
Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." - Zechariah 7:11
Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
Zechariah 13:7
Zechariah 11:7 - "And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock."
"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8
Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"
Zechariah 11:11 - "And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD."
Psalm 24:7-11
Zechariah 11:7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.
Zechariah 11:4 - "Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;"
Ezra 8:11 - "And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males."
Zechariah 12:11 - "In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Zechariah 11:1 - "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars."
Zechariah 8:11 - "But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 11:15 - "¶ And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd."
Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Zechariah 14:11 - "And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited."
Zechariah 11:3 - "¶ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."
1 Chronicles 26:11 - "Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen."
1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"
Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"
Zechariah 6:11 - "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
Luke 1:11-12
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
"And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD." - Zechariah 11:11