When the Shepherd is Rejected

When the Shepherd is Rejected
Zechariah 11:7-14
June 25, 2023

Everything seemed to go poorly for Israel.  Way back in her history after Solomon died there was political maneuvering for the kingship of Israel and it led to strife, conflict, and a divided nation.  It stayed that way for centuries.  There were even battles between the northern and southern kingdoms.  They hated each other and even solicited the help of other nations to combat each other.  And then the northern tribes (Israel) were taken into captivity by Assyria.  And starting a little over 100 years later, the southern tribes (Judah) were taken into captivity by Babylon.  It was not a happy time for the nation. 

Then Daniel remembered the promise to Jeremiah that the captivity would be for 70 years (29:10), so Daniel prayed (9:2) and that precipitated a return to the land.  The foundation for the temple was laid, and while opposition temped the people to leave it rest for 20 years, work had resumed and was progressing.  Things looked promising.  Zechariah even promised that there would be an ultimate regathering of the people to the land under the Messiah (10:9-12).  That was like walking into work, getting a promotion, increase in salary, an updated office, a new work car, a month more of vacation, and double the staff to help you do your work.  It was a dream.  And then Zechariah revealed the prophecy of chapter 11.  It was dark and heavy.  We feel it just reading it.  How must they have felt hearing it, knowing it was about them???   It has been said that this chapter is “unusually bleak” in a book of hope.  What does this book reveal about God and mankind?  Continuing what we discovered last week, in verses 7-14 we find…

There are terrible consequences for rejecting the Messiah (Shepherd-King).

This passage reveals more of the Good Shepherd’s work — and the somber consequences of rejecting Him.

1. The Work of the Good Shepherd (vv. 7-8)

• The Good Shepherd cares graciously (v. 7a)
• The Good Shepherd produces unity (v. 7b)
• The Good Shepherd judges decisively (v. 8)

2. The Rejection of the Good Shepherd (vv. 9-11, 14)

• The sheep will not have a Shepherd (v. 9)
• The sheep will not experience grace (vv. 10-11)
• The sheep will not have unity (v. 14)
• The shepherd will have a remnant (v. 11b)

3. The (Ungodly) Evaluation of the Good Shepherd (vv. 12-13)

Download the rest of this sermon on Zechariah 11:7-14.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by tomorrow.