SCRIPTURE: ZECHARIAH 11
TWO SHEPHERDS (vs. 4-17)
The Lord told the shepherds to pasture the flock marked for slaughter. But their own shepherd did not spare them. So the Lord will not have pity on them. He will hand them over to his neighbor and his king. They will oppress the land and God will not rescue them from their land.
So, Zechariah pastured the flock marked for slaughter. He took two staffs (Favor and Union). In one month, he got rid of the three shepherds. But the flock detested him. So he became weary and did not want to shepherd them anymore. Then, Zechariah took his staff- FAVOR – and broke it, revoking the covenant he had made with all the nations. So the afflicted of the flock saw and knew it was the word of God. Then Zechariah demanded a pay. They paid him thirty pieces of silver.
The Lord told Zechariah to throw the 30 pieces of silver to the potter. Then, he broke his second staff – UNION, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. “God was going to raise up a shepherd over the land, who will not care for the lost or seek the young or heal the injured or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs.” (vs. 15-16).
This is what the Lord says to the worthless shepherd.
“Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!” (v. 17)
THOUGHTS:
There are 3 kinds of shepherds:
- The faithful Shepherd – The Lord will be the Shepherd who will return to rescue the people, strengthen them and establish them in peace.
- The false shepherds – They were not true to God or their people.
- The foolish shepherd – He is the Anti-Christ whom Israel will accept as their friend. He will agree to protect Israel but will break his promise.
Zechariah broke the first staff (FAVOR) to show that God’s gracious covenant with his people was broken. He broke the second staff (UNION) to show that the bond of unity between Judah and Israel was broken.
The 30 pieces of silver thrown into the potter signifies the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus which was returned to the temple and used to buy a potter’s field.
God holds leaders particularly accountable for the condition of his people. If God puts you in a position of leadership, remember that you have a great responsibility to do your task.