Shepherds Good and Bad

 O. T. #2314 "Shepherds God and Bad"

Nov. 3, 2022 

Zechariah 11-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

God told Zechariah to act out the roles of two different kinds of shepherds. The first type of shepherd demonstrated how God would reject His people (the sheep because they rejected Him (verses 4-14).  The second type of shepherd demonstrated how God would allow His people to fall into the clutches of evil shepherds (verses 15-17). Ezekiel 34 detailed portrayal of the evil shepherds of Israel. (Life Application Study Bible)

In the vision, the prophet performed in actions that which the Messiah Jesus actually did while on earth. Zechariah was a type of Christ:

• Care for and feed the flock intended for the slaughter. (verse 4) 
• The buyers slaughtered their sheep without remorse, after all, God gave them sheep for food.
• Even the shepherds (sellers) had no compassion for the sheep either. They praised the Lord, for they were rich. (verse 5)
• So, God said He would no longer have pity on the people of the land. He would let them fall into each other's hands and into the hands of their king. (verse 6)
• Then they would turn the land into a wilderness, but God would not rescue them. (verse 6)

The destiny of Israel was slaughter by the Romans because they rejected the Messiah. One and a half Jews did die at the hand of Rome. Their treatment was like that the sheep experienced. So the Romans did not feel guilty in killing the Jews, for God gave them into their hands, so they thought. 

Their own shepherds did not pity them. This referred to the Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadduccees, Herodians, and other leaders who sought their own ends and not the good of the nation. (Mark 12) By rejecting Jesus as their King, the Jews had to pay tribute to Caesar as their king. The Jewish leaders were only concerned with their own position and power.

LET IT GROW

What was Zechariah's reaction in verse 7? He would feed the flock intended for the slaughter. Jesus did that while on earth-healed the sick, protected the poor and met needs of a variety of people. Dare I say they were mostly poor who could not repay Jesus? He was a Shepherd among His sheep, tenderly caring for them.

I am reminded of Peter, who denied Jesus 3 times before His crucifixion. After the resurrection, Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs and sheep. (John 21:15-17) The word feed means to pasture, graze, keep; to tend as a shepherd, rule, supervise. 

Jesus forgave Peter and gave him a purpose. Peter was the one who preached on the Day of Pentecost and 3,000 were saved. such love, grace, mercy our Savior shows us when we fail Him.

How can we feed the flock? Using reproof, instruction, and comfort. Are we helping others get spiritual food from the Truth?

LET IT GO

Open our eyes, Lord, to see the needs of others.

Help us show compassion to those in need.

Thank You for all You have given us, Jesus.