Warnings

O. T. #2316 "Warnings"

Nov. 7, 2022

Zechariah 11-Part 4

Did you notice in verse 9 there is a word repeated three times? It is the word let. Here we have an expression of judgment by the Messiah: 

First, the Messiah says He will not feed you. Since the Jews despised and blasphemed the Savior with the Gospel, He would then go to the Gentiles with the Gospel. It was not just the false shepherds, but the people who abhorred Christ, so it was taken away from them.

Secondly, let them die through the famine of the Word they despised.

Thirdly, let them die in sins, die the second death they justly deserved. They would be cut off spiritually, as unfruitful branches. 

Fourth, let the rest experience famine, destroying each other in internal divisions, which was the case of the Jews when Jerusalem was besieged. (Galatians 5:15) (John Gill)

J. Vernon McGee believed the Lord was speaking to the false prophets. The people in that day were stingy, not giving a tenth as an offering to the Lord; they gave sacrificial animals not meeting the requirements. The Lord was calling the Jews back to honesty and clear-cut in their dealings, instead of being phony and pretending.

What kind of offerings do we give the Lord? Do we pretend to give a tenth of our income? Do we give out of a joyful heart instead of being a phony? Remember, the Lord sees what in in our heart as He did with the Jews back then.

LET IT GROW

The staff Beauty that was broken was not referring to the Abrahamic Covenant, but an indirect covenant with the other nations due to His covenant with Israel. When Israel was in fellowship with God, He restrained the heathens so they could do not violence to Israel.  However, this protection was lifted when they rejected the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Messiah. The Romans devastated their land and will occur again during the Great Tribulation. A conditional covenant depends upon a response from the human side. 

Those humbled spiritually (believers) are the remnant of the election of grace knew it was according to the Word of God. (Romans 11:5) Those in the right relationship with God receive whatever when it is according to the Word. When we obey God's Word, He gives us grace. 

God is longsuffering and waits for sinners to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus as The Savior. He is the only way to heaven. Although, there does come a time when He has done all He will do to reach them when they do not repent and believe. (John 12:37; Matthew 23:37)

God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

LET IT GO

Thank You Father for a love that never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on us.

Christ Jesus is worthy of glory, honor, and praise today!