Zechariah 10 & 11 - Which Shepherd Do You Follow?

LINK: Zechariah 10 & 11

BACKGROUND 

These chapters continue with the Messianic theme. YAY! Jesus is coming!!! 

No more darkness and doom and judgment. The LIGHT will come!

Zechariah 10

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

This chapter is full of promises:

Holy Spirit (10:1) - His Spirit is often described as rain in the Old Testament (Isaiah 32:15; 44:3; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23-32). 

Shepherd (10:2-3) - The shepherds led the flock of Israel into sin (Ezekiel 34; Matthew 9:36). God promises to care for His flock (Micah 5:4). Jesus said He was the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Cornerstone (10:4) - Jesus came from Judah to be the Cornerstone of the church. (Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6,7). The cornerstone could be the foundation stone or a stone which crowns a building. Jesus is both the foundation on which the church is built, and He is the capstone that crowns the church! You will see this word again in Psalm 118 in a few days. 

Tent Peg (10:4) - "The large peg inside an Oriental tent, on which is hung most of it valuable furniture (Judges 4:21; Isaiah 22:20-24). On Messiah hang all the glory and hope of His people" (A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, (Zechariah 10:4)). 

Bow of Battle (10:4-5) - Jesus came to overcome the enemy of our souls, Satan (Genesis 3:15).  Death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

Ruler (10:4) - Jesus will reign as King just as God had promised (Genesis 49:10; Micah 5:2).

Reuniting and Restoration (10:6-12) - The "house of Joseph" represented the two northern tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the "house of Judah" were the remaining ten southern tribes. These tribes would be reunited and strengthened together (Jeremiah 31:10). 

Zechariah 11

While Zechariah 10 talks of the Messiah's reign. Zechariah is asked by God to act out the roles of two different kinds of shepherds. There is a delay in those blessings coming because of the rejection of this Shepherd Messiah. It is a lament and talks of the wrath to come and the consequent devastation that will result from the people rejecting the Good Shepherd (10:2-3). 

REFLECTION 

Which shepherd do you follow? Hopefully, you follow the Good Shepherd. 

Recently, I had two weeks where I was on the road, living out of a suitcase, following a packed schedule in unfamiliar places, seeing new and exciting things, and sharing space in hotel rooms where it was very hard to get away to spend time with the Good Shepherd.

And it began to show! My sinful, selfish nature emerged more and more. I realized that I was not following the Good Shepherd but following the worldly shepherd that says "Get ahead. You are Number One!"  

Toward the end of the two weeks, I got up early and walked and prayed and repented, renewing my mind and my commitment to follow Him. (I also had to apologize to my husband and wish I could apologize to a lady I was not nice to while waiting in line!) We cannot disengage from following Him and expect to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit no matter how "mature" we are in the Lord!

Lesson learned. 

APPLICATION

Are you following the Good Shepherd today? 

PRAYER

Lord, help us to follow You, minute by minute every day. Amen.