In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah wrote, “And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear”, and in chapter seven and verse twelve of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how the LORD said, “yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone” where we read,
Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts has sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
The verse reads, “Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, ...” Zechariah began with the words, “yes, they made their hearts” or “even so and indeed they, the people of Israel, fashioned, set, appointed and directed their souls, minds, wills, desires, living being and seat of emotions and affections” “as an adamant stone” which means “similar and in likeness to a sharp and hardened flint gem”, “lest they should hear the law” or “unless or otherwise they, the people of Israel, ought to perceive, listen, give attention to and obey Jehovah God's instruction, direction, customs and manners”. Zechariah shared how Jehovah God knew the people of Israel caused their souls, minds and wills to be hardened like a flint stone or otherwise they would have listened to, perceived and obeyed His commandments.
The verse continues, “... and the words which the LORD of hosts has sent in his spirit by the former prophets:” Zechariah added the words, “and the words” or “and the speeches, utterances and proclamations” “which the LORD of hosts has sent” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is over the spiritual army of angels and warriors dispatched and assigned” “in his spirit” or “within his, Jehovah God's, vivacity, vigor and disposition” “by the former prophets” which means “through the means of the foremost, previous and eldest spokesmen, speakers and spiritual men”. Zechariah shared how the people of Israel were “dull of hearing” to the utterances of Jehovah God who rules over the angel armies and were spoken by means of the previous spiritual spokesmen and spiritual men.
Finally the verse says, “therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah concluded this verse with the words, “therefore came a great wrath” or “wherefore, then and on this account happened and occurred a large, massive and abundant anger that wrinkles the nostrils and nose” “from the LORD of hosts” which means “separate and apart from Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God who is over the spiritual army of angels and warriors dispatched and assigned”. Zechariah ended this verse by sharing how Jehovah God who rules over the angel armies became exceedingly angry with the people of Israel because they refused to hear and obey His “words”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah how the people of Israel possessed hardened “hearts” that were similar to flint stone, otherwise they would have listened to what God had to say through His “prophets” of old. Because of their obstinance, God's exceeding anger fell upon them. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us an understanding of how important it is to “hear” Him when He speaks. However, if our “hearts are hardened” and we refuse to hear, we invite His fury to be poured out upon us for our insolence.
Next time Zechariah shares how the LORD says, “they cried, and I would not hear”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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