For I am 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 . . . Woe to the worthless
shepherd who deserts the flock! (Zechariah 11:16,17).
Chapter 11 contains
the allegory of the two shepherds. The people of Israel and Judah are in triple
trouble: They have been sold by those who care only about profit; their buyers
have slaughtered them; and their shepherds have abandoned them (v. 5). God
instructs his shepherd to care for the flock.
God’s faithful
shepherd honors his commitment, providing pasture and protection for the sheep,
especially the weak and oppressed. But rather than appreciate the one who feeds
and shelters them, the sheep resent the shepherd and rebel against his
leadership. Upon firing him, they present to him his severance pay: 30 pieces
of silver.
Why does that sound
familiar?
In place of the
faithful shepherd, God gives them over to a worthless shepherd who abandons the
lost sheep under his charge, lets the young wander off without exerting any
effort to bring them home, refuses to salve their wounds, and leaves them to
fend for themselves.
In John 10 Jesus
declares that he is the Good Shepherd. In doing so, was he thinking about the
writings of Zechariah? [6]. Likely. I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Your Shepherd knows what’s
best for you. Consider times when you’ve resisted him and times you’ve
gratefully rested in his tender care.
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