REJECTED SHEPHERD (11:1-17)
Neal Pollard
S.R. Driver, the famous Hebrew Lexicographer (B.D.B. Lexicon), tells us this about Zechariah 11, that it “stands as the most enigmatic passage in the whole Old Testament” (The Minor Prophets, 23). It is said to be the most difficult chapter of the book. How does it fit with the context, and what is Zechariah trying to say?
The narrative. A sweeping judgment from the north to the south is described in 11:1-3. Lebanon and Bashan would be in Israel (northern kingdom) and the jungle area of the Jordan described would be in Judah (southern kingdom). In 11:4-14, God compares His people to a flock of sheep. They are led by false or bad shepherds (4-6) and they themselves are described as “doomed to slaughter.” Zechariah takes the shepherd job and takes two staffs, named Favor and Union (7). He pastures the flock and destroys the bad shepherds (7-8), but is weary of the job and gives up on the sheep (9-11). He asks his wages, and is paid so little that he discards it (12-14). The Lord tells him to reassume the role, symbolizing a worthless, uncaring shepherd who will suffer for his poor shepherding (15-17).
The meaning. This proves far more difficult to definitely decide. It seems Page Kelley is right, succinctly summarizing, “It has something significant to say about the crisis of leadership in Jerusalem after the Exile. It attributes the oppression from without and the strife from within to Israel’s rejection of her God-given leaders. In rejecting them, she had effectively rejected the rule of God in her affairs” (Laymen, Vol. 14, 140). There was definitely a leadership crisis after the exile in Babylon. See Ezra and Nehemiah for further confirmation. The staff, Favor, represents God’s grace. It is broken by the people’s willful sin. The staff, Union, represents the unity of God’s people. It is broken by division, well-chronicled in the Old Testament. Thirty pieces of silver is “the equivalent of the value of a Hebrew slave (cf. Exod. 21:32), is such a trifle that it is cast unto the potter” (Lewis, Minor Prophets, 79). The poor leadership of the latter shepherds reveals the futile state of affairs which will still exist when the Good Shepherd appears on the scene.
The application. We have already established the compelling comparison which Jesus amplifies, distinguishing Himself from all other shepherds. Read John 10:1-18, where Jesus speaks of His leadership as a Shepherd who will make it possible for all sheep (Jews and Gentiles) to come to Him for abundant life (11). He will lay down His life for the sheep (17-18). Further, Matthew will quote verse 13 and apply it to Judas’ betrayal in Matthew 27:9-10. There is also an application for leadership among the sheep in the Good Shepherd’s flock. Scripture admonishes elders to shepherd the flock with self-discernment and conscientiousness (Acts 20:28). It even tells them how to do so effectively and how they will be rewarded for doing the job well (1 Peter 5:1-4).
This chapter looks beyond the leadership crisis of latter Old Testament history to the unfolding of God’s eternal plan centered in Jesus. It encourages us even today to follow God’s plan and be good followers of His appointed shepherds. It also sets the table for the grand finale, where Zechariah focuses on the Messianic Age in the last three chapters.
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