Post by gsmithb on Dec 28, 2014 5:55:08 GMT
The Rejection of the Good Shepherd and the Scattering of the Flock
Zachariah Chapter 10 prophesies concerning the regathering of the flock by the Good Shepherd (v. 8); Chapter 11 reveals why the flock was scattered before that restoration will be achieved. It commences with a figurative description of the devastation that swept away guilty Judah in AD70. Sweeping down fro the north from Lebanon(v.1), Rome would come against Bashan and Gilead in the east, descending to the lower Jordan valley (v.3), and onwards to Jerusalem. The prophet's words vividly describe the swift destruction of the land, the despair of the appointed shepherds in consequence and the fear of the flock.
Condemnation is heaped upon the so-called shepherds of Judah who failed to care for the flock, in consequence of which they were cut off. The prophet then enacts the parable of the Good Shepherd (vs. 4-14), dramatises the conflict which would ensue between the Lord and the pseudo-shepherds of his day, predicts his betrayal, the scattering of the flock the breaking of the brotherhood of Judah and Israel, the manifestation of a "foolish shepherd," and finally, the vindication of the Good Shepherd in the punishment that shall be heaped upon the "idol shepherd" who deserts and wastes the flock.
In this prophecy, Zechariah himself enacts the parable of the Good Shepherd, thus dramatising the "determinate counsel" of God with the Lord Jesus. The Master would have pondered these words, and been strengthened in his commitment to uphold the divine righteousness as a result.
The chapter also reveals three shepherds. The true shepherd (v.4) was revealed in Zechariah as the type, and the Lord Jesus as the fulfilment. The false shepherd (v. 5) was seen in the leaders of Israel. The idol shepherd (v. 17) describes the worldly and religious Gentile powers. Thus, all mankind are brought together in the contest of the Shepherd-powers.
p. 145 The Christadelphian Expositor Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi
Zachariah Chapter 10 prophesies concerning the regathering of the flock by the Good Shepherd (v. 8); Chapter 11 reveals why the flock was scattered before that restoration will be achieved. It commences with a figurative description of the devastation that swept away guilty Judah in AD70. Sweeping down fro the north from Lebanon(v.1), Rome would come against Bashan and Gilead in the east, descending to the lower Jordan valley (v.3), and onwards to Jerusalem. The prophet's words vividly describe the swift destruction of the land, the despair of the appointed shepherds in consequence and the fear of the flock.
Condemnation is heaped upon the so-called shepherds of Judah who failed to care for the flock, in consequence of which they were cut off. The prophet then enacts the parable of the Good Shepherd (vs. 4-14), dramatises the conflict which would ensue between the Lord and the pseudo-shepherds of his day, predicts his betrayal, the scattering of the flock the breaking of the brotherhood of Judah and Israel, the manifestation of a "foolish shepherd," and finally, the vindication of the Good Shepherd in the punishment that shall be heaped upon the "idol shepherd" who deserts and wastes the flock.
In this prophecy, Zechariah himself enacts the parable of the Good Shepherd, thus dramatising the "determinate counsel" of God with the Lord Jesus. The Master would have pondered these words, and been strengthened in his commitment to uphold the divine righteousness as a result.
The chapter also reveals three shepherds. The true shepherd (v.4) was revealed in Zechariah as the type, and the Lord Jesus as the fulfilment. The false shepherd (v. 5) was seen in the leaders of Israel. The idol shepherd (v. 17) describes the worldly and religious Gentile powers. Thus, all mankind are brought together in the contest of the Shepherd-powers.
p. 145 The Christadelphian Expositor Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi