When The Shepherd Is Rejected | Zechariah 11:1-17 | Richard Caldwell

Scripture

• Zechariah 11:1–17

About this sermon

Introduction: We have been examining God’s promise to be Israel’s shepherd. We have been examining the many WAYS that God will fulfill that promise in the Messiah. He will be their savior (9:14-17) He will be their provider (10:1) He will be their guide (10:1-2) He will be their defender (10:3a) He will be their strength-giver (10:3b-6a) And last time we saw that He will be their restorer (10:6b-12) But when will these things be? And what will the Lord conquer in Israel herself, as He brings these promises to pass? Israel had not just been oppressed. Israel has been judged. She has proven herself perpetually foolish. And before the Lord brings all of these promises to pass, she is told that she will prove foolish in the most egregious way imaginable. THE ONE WHO PROMISES TO BE HER SHEPHERD WILL COME TO HER AND SHE WILL REJECT HIM. Israel has been devoured by false shepherds, BUT SHE CANNOT PLEAD INNOCENT. WHY? BECAUSE HER DEVOURERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ENABLED BY HER SINFUL DESIRES. ESV Jeremiah 5:30 An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: 31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes? We should have a clear understanding of this because this is seen in more than just Israel isn’t it? This is still taking place during the church age. False shepherds, devouring shepherds, trading on the people of God, but the reason why they can have influence, in many cases, is because of the sinful desires of the people they take advantage of. The sinful desires of professing God worshipers open the door for the operation of their deceivers. Well, the GREATEST DISPLAY OF THOSE SINFUL DESIRES IN ISRAEL’S ENTIRE HISTORY WILL BE WHEN HER SHEPHERD COMES TO HER AND SHE REJECTS HIM — AND THE RESULT WILL BE A GREAT DESTRUCTION FOLLOWED BY A GREAT DECEIVER. This passage is one of the most poetic in Zechariah, and so some of it has proven difficult for commentators, but the general meaning of our verses is clear. I. THE DEVASTATION OF FUTURE JUDGMENT (vs.1-3) The first picture that Zechariah is given to deliver is of a consuming fire that sweeps through the land and destroys the glorious land. Lebanon was famous for its cedars. And if the cedars are to be devoured, then what about the cypress trees? They should wail, because if the cedars are devoured, they won’t be spared. Move south to Bashan, and its thick forests will fall. Move to the thicket of Jordan, and it too will be ruined. The glorious features of the land are destined for ruin, because the enemy will come in and destroy. And what is poetically pictured goes beyond the land. It includes the people who live in the land. The SHEPHERDS WILL WAIL because their glory will be consumed. What God promised to do in the 10th chapter is taking place in the 11th. ESV Zechariah 10:3 "My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle. Those who have devoured the people of God will see their glory ruined. John MacArthur states what many other commentators believe as well, and what I believe to be probable.

Topics

• Leadership