Matthew Henry on Zechariah 7:8–end
What was said Zac 7:7, that they should have heard the words of the former prophets, is here enlarged upon, for warning to these hypocritical enquirers, who continued their sins when they asked with great preciseness whether they should continue their fasts. This prophet had before put them in mind of their fathers' disobedience to the calls of the prophets, and what was the consequence of it (Zac 1:4-6), and now here again; for others' harms should be our warnings. God's judgments upon Israel of old for their sins were written for admonition to us Christians (Co1 10:11), and the same use we should make of similar providences in our own day.
I. This prophet here repeats the heads of the serm…
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pulled away the shoulder--literally, "presented a refractory shoulder"; an image from beasts refusing to bear the yoke (Neh 9:29, Margin).
stopped . . . ears-- (Isa 6:10; Jer 7:26; Act 7:57).
Adam Clarke on Zechariah 7:11
Pulled away the shoulder - From under the yoke of the law, like an unbroken or restive bullock in the plough.
John Gill on Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to hearken,..... That is, the Jews, before the captivity, refusal to give heed to the above exhortations, and obey the voice of God in them:
and pulled away the shoulder; from serving the Lord, and supporting his interest: or "they gave", or presented, "a rebellious shoulder" (f); a refractory one, that slides back, like a backsliding or refractory heifer, that will not admit of the yoke, Hosea 4:16 so these could not bear the yoke of the law, nor the burden of duty; nor suffer the words of exhortation, or receive the admonitions given them:
and stopped their ears, that they should not hear; like the deaf adder, Psalm 58:4 they would not hear, and pretended they could not;…
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