זכריה, פרק ז׳, פסוק י״ג

The principle of divine justice reveals itself sharply when the breakdown in communication between the people and God works in both directions. There is a clear agreement among commentators that this situation represents a strict punishment of measure for measure. Initially, God reached out to the people through His prophets, trying to wake them up so they would correct their ways and actions [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Despite this effort, the people completely refused to listen.

As a direct response to their stubbornness, God established the other side of the equation. Just as the people ignored the warnings of the prophets, God decided that when they eventually cry out to Him during times of severe hardship and distress, He will not listen to their cries [מצודת דוד]. The final divine declaration serves as an explicit confirmation of this judgment, sealing the reality that when the people finally call for help, God will not hear them [רש״י, מלבי״ם].