PT 13 - ZECHARIAH 11 - The Rejected True Shepherd - 12/07/24

Beth Ariel Messianic Congregation

We are continuing our study through the book of Zechariah. We are focusing attention on chapter 11, in which Zechariah is directed to "Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter" (vs.4)
Zechariah is called upon to play the role of Israel's True Shepherd, or True King. However, rather than being accepted and embraced by the people for whom he came - he is, instead, despised and rejected. The consequence for Israel's rejection of their king is a severity of judgment the likes of which had not been seen before in Israel.
Because the True Shepherd is rejected by His own people, the Gentile nations will oppress them, their own leaders will abandon them (vs.5), and the Lord himself will no longer have pity on them to rescue them (vs.6).
Zechariah's prophetic message comes to a conclusion with a final role-play. He is to take up the part of a false or wicked shepherd (vs.15-17). That is, a ruler who will not "care for the lost," nor "seek the young," nor "heal the injured," nor "feed the healthy" (vs.16). Rather, this wicked shepherd will harm and devastate the people of Israel.
Three lessons stand out from this passage of Scripture. First, though our God is "patient not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9), there will come a time when His patience will end and judgment will fall.
Second, though Israel as a nation has rejected Yeshua, there are those among the nation, Messianic Jews who by God's grace have come to recognize him as their Messiah and Lord. They are those of the "flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the Lord" (Zechariah 11:11).
Lastly, in the words of Paul, "God has not rejected his people whom he has foreknown" (Romans 11:2). Because God has not rejected his people Israel, there are Jewish people who if they are presented with the messianic claims of Yeshua, will place they faith and trust in him. This should encourage all of us to tell Jewish people and all others of God's marvelous love and grace provided in Him.
Link to download Zechariah chart: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BkFtNcDKe32mzcqZGek_HXqXlVUVEO7C/view?usp=sharing
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/sP0jDnwTsq0

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