Zechariah 7:8-12
7:10 a Widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor often did not have access to the legal protection afforded the average citizen (cp. Deut 24:14 b, 17-18 c). Fasting and social justice should go hand in hand (see Isa 58:6-7 d).7:11 e Your ancestors refused to listen: They ignored God’s commands (see Jer 11:10 f).
• stubbornly turned away (or set a defiant shoulder): The idiom signifies haughty stubbornness (see Neh 9:29 g).
• Put their fingers in their ears places full responsibility upon the people for their obstinacy (cp. Isa 6:10 h). The same expression is used of Pharaoh when he “became stubborn” (or “hardened his heart”) against God and refused to release the Hebrews (Exod 8:32 i).
7:12 j To make one’s heart as hard as stone is to steel one’s will against the will of God (see Jer 17:1 k; cp. Ezek 3:9 l).
• Instructions (Hebrew torah) refers to God’s laws and commands as taught and interpreted by the prophets.
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