Zechariah 11

Zechariah 11:1: Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
Commentary: This verse is a call to open up to God’s judgement and destruction, as fire will devour the cedar trees of Lebanon.

Zechariah 11:2: Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
Commentary: This verse speaks of the destruction of the cedar trees, which symbolize strength and power, and calls for the other trees of Bashan to mourn the loss.

Zechariah 11:3: There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
Commentary: This verse is a call to lament, as the shepherds and young lions of Jordan are now without their glory and pride.

Zechariah 11:4: Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
Commentary: This verse is a call from God to care for the flock that has been slaughtered, showing God’s compassion for those in need.

Zechariah 11:5: Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.
Commentary: This verse highlights the greed of those who are selling the flock and profiting from it, while not taking responsibility for their actions.

Zechariah 11:6: For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.
Commentary: This verse speaks of God’s judgement, as He will no longer pity the inhabitants of the land, and will instead allow them to be subject to their neighbour’s and king’s judgement.

Zechariah 11:7: And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
Commentary: This verse speaks of God’s provision and care for the poor of the flock, as He uses two staves to care for them.

Zechariah 11:8: Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
Commentary: This verse speaks of God’s judgement and wrath, as He cuts off three shepherds in one month, a sign of His displeasure.

Zechariah 11:9: Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.
Commentary: This verse speaks of God’s judgement, as He refuses to care for the flock, and instead allows them to feed on one another in a state of judgement.

Zechariah 11:10: And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
Commentary: This verse speaks of God’s judgement and breaking of His covenant with the people, as He cuts his staff as a sign of His displeasure.

Zechariah 11:11: “And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the importance of recognizing God’s will and trusting His promises, even when our circumstances are difficult. Even in times of uncertainty, we can rely on God’s faithfulness to guide us and provide for us.

Zechariah 11:12: “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the value of humility. We should be willing to surrender our own ambitions and desires in order to submit to God’s will. Additionally, this verse shows the importance of recognizing that God’s worth is far greater than that of material things.

Zechariah 11:13: “And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the power of trusting in God, even when it doesn’t make sense. Even though it may seem like a loss, God will use our obedience and faithfulness to bring about His perfect plan. We can trust that God will work out the details and use our decisions for His glory.

Zechariah 11:14: “Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the importance of recognizing our own individual identity and responsibility to God. We should not rely on other people or groups to do the work of God for us. Rather, we should strive to be obedient to God and rely on His guidance for our decisions.

Zechariah 11:15: “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the dangers of following false leaders. We should be wise and discerning in who we follow, and make sure that we are not being led astray by those who do not have God’s best interests in mind.

Zechariah 11:16: “For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the importance of finding and following a true leader. We should be wary of those who do not have God’s best interests in mind and are only looking out for their own gain. We should seek out those who will be good stewards of God’s people and faithfully lead them in the right direction.

Zechariah 11:17: “Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.”
Commentary: This verse speaks to the consequences of being a false leader. Those who lead God’s people astray will be judged and punished. We should be careful to follow those who are obedient to God and seek to lead others in the same direction.