The Lightly Esteemed Shepherd
September 29, 2024 • Matt Becker • Zechariah 11:4–17
My question this morning for you is: What value would you place on the thing you value most? What price would you fix upon it?
Today, we’re going to see two main points in the text of Zechariah 11:4-14:
1. The Faithful Shepherding of the Doomed Flock
2. The Rejection of the Shepherd
Let’s get some context about the book of Zechariah. Zechariah 1:1 says: "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, ‘The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore, say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.’"
The name Zechariah means "The Lord remembers." This book was written by Zechariah, who was the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo. He is also referenced in Nehemiah and Ezra. Zechariah was likely raised by his grandfather, as his father probably died early. He was part of the Great Synagogue, a sort of proto-Sanhedrin, and, alongside Haggai, prophesied during the time of the rebuilding of the second temple around 520 BC.
The book of Zechariah can be divided into two parts:
Chapters 1-8 cover the first two years of prophecy, coinciding with Haggai’s time. This period was a call for the people to repent and rebuild the temple.
Chapters 9-14 look forward to future messianic and eschatological events, making Zechariah the second most messianic book in the Old Testament after Isaiah.
This context sets the stage for understanding Zechariah 11 and the events described therein.
The Faithful Shepherding of the Doomed Flock (Zechariah 11:4-7)
Let’s turn back to Zechariah 11 and consider our first point: The Faithful Shepherding of the Doomed Flock.
In verse 4, God says to Zechariah: "Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter."
This flock is already condemned, and God is using this vivid image to illustrate the impending judgment on the people of Israel. The shepherds—those in positions of leadership—are corrupt and show no pity on the flock. The buyers slaughter the sheep and go unpunished, and the sellers praise God for their prosperity, even though they are complicit in the evil.
Zechariah takes on the role of a faithful shepherd despite knowing that the flock is doomed. He names his two staffs Favor and Union. These represent God’s grace and the unity of His people, but both will eventually be broken as part of the coming judgment.
The Rejection of the Shepherd (Zechariah 11:8-14)
The second main point we see in this passage is The Rejection of the Shepherd.
In verse 8, Zechariah says that in one month, he destroyed three shepherds. The identity of these three shepherds is debated, but they likely represent corrupt leaders in Israel who opposed God’s will. Zechariah became impatient with them, and they detested him in return.
Zechariah, serving as a symbolic shepherd, announces his resignation: "I will not be your shepherd. What is to die, let it die; what is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed." He then breaks his staff Favor, annulling the covenant God had made with the people.
The rejection becomes even more striking when Zechariah asks for his wages. The people give him thirty pieces of silver—the price of a dead or injured slave (Exodus 21:32). This act of undervaluing their shepherd symbolizes the people's lack of regard for God’s appointed leader.
God tells Zechariah to throw the thirty pieces of silver "to the potter" in the house of the Lord. This dramatic act foreshadows Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, which he later threw into the temple (Matthew 27:3-10).
Zechariah then breaks the second staff Union, symbolizing the end of the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
So, how should we respond to this passage?
Zechariah’s role as the shepherd foreshadows Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Just as the people of Israel rejected Zechariah, humanity rejected Christ, valuing Him at thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave. But Jesus, in His grace, still laid down His life for His sheep.
The key question for us is: How do we value Christ? Do we, like the Israelites, lightly esteem Him? Or do we value Him as the most precious thing in our lives?
Christ came to seek and save the lost. He was rejected by men, but to those who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God. Let us not make the same mistake as those who rejected Zechariah’s leadership, and ultimately, God’s leadership.
