Zechariah 11 — The False Shepherds

In Zechariah 11, God expresses His displeasure with the leaders (shepherds) of His people. The prophecy highlights the consequences of rejecting the Messiah (God’s True Shepherd) and the resulting judgment. In Verses 1-3, God proclaims the coming wrath that will cause a great wailing. These verses are a prophecy of destruction upon Lebanon, Bashan, and Jordan, symbolizing the downfall of those who have strayed from God.

Verses 4-14 give the reasons for the wailing. Israel will reject her Messiah. Here, there is also a reference to the 30 pieces of silver by which Judas will betray the Lord Jesus (v. 12). Because Israel has rejected her Messiah, they will no longer have God's favor for a time. This is presented in the imagery of the staff - Beauty (Favor), being broken. Breaking of the staff Bonds indicates that the nation's unity will also be broken.
Verses 15-17 warns of the consequences of rejecting the True Shepherd. God instructs Zechariah to take the gear of a foolish shepherd, representing bad leadership that leads people astray. A woe is pronounced upon this worthless shepherd. This is a reference to the coming Antichrist which Israel will believe although they have rejected Christ.

Zechariah 11 holds significant lessons for us today. First, it tells us to embrace the Good Shepherd (Christ). The chapter foreshadows the rejection of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and urges us to embrace His guidance and leadership in our lives. We should accept Christ for who He is, not make a Christ in our own liking. Second, it tells us to value righteous leadership. It highlights the importance of righteous leadership. We are called to support and follow leaders who reflect God’s values and care for their people. We, however, tend to value leaders that flatter us and tell us what we want to hear. Third, it tells us to guard ourselves against false leaders. The warning is a reminder to be vigilant against false leaders who exploit and mislead. We must discern and reject such influences. Lastly, the breaking of the staffs, Beauty and Bonds, symbolizes the loss of God’s grace and unity due to rejection of Christ rule in our lives. We are encouraged to seek and maintain unity within our communities and cherish God’s favor.
What kind of leadership do you value?