Zechariah 11:15 Commentary and Bible Study

Never again will the rejected nation have a sympathetic leadership. It will now be placed under other shepherds – the Romans and other tyrants over the land. This is what Judah will have brought on itself by rejecting the benevolent government of the Lord. Zechariah is to act the part of a foolish shepherd, one who cares nothing about the flock but only uses it for his own benefit. A shepherd’s job was a compassionate one, a protective one; it was the role of one who is stronger caring for those who are weaker; it was the role of the wiser caring for the simple, the armed protecting the helpless, and of the one with knowledge teaching the ignorant. This in spiritual terms is the office of a pastor or shepherd in the church today. How much Israel ought to have thanked the Lord for the shepherds he appointed over the nation when it was working at its best. Take unto thee the instruments of the foolish Shepherd. Whereas Israel carried certain staves – the staff of favour and the staff of unity – other nations had other staves – staves of oppression, cruelty, rapaciousness. So Zechariah equips himself as a foreign shepherd to show them how Israel will be under a foreign hand. At the same time God pronounces severe judgment on those who take advantage in this way.