(2) The distribution to the potter (v. 13)
“The Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter–a lordly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.”
That’s exactly what happened to the thirty pieces of silver that the chief priest paid Judas for betraying Jesus. Guilt-ridden Judas went back to the Temple and threw that blood money on the ground. The priests gathered the money and used it to buy a field from a potter. That is recorded for us in Matthew 27:3-10. Only God could predict such events.
e) Forsaking the nation (v. 14)
“Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.”
By symbolically breaking his staff of unity, Zechariah was prophesying that God would destroy the nation. When the Romans came in A.D. 70 many Jews were killed. Many of those who didn’t die directly at the hands of the Romans died from starvation or at the hands of their own despairing countrymen. Following the fall of Jerusalem the children of Israel were dissolved as a national entity and were dispersed.
The message of Zechariah is clear. Before the destruction of Jerusalem, God Himself would appear in the person of Jesus Christ, the True Shepherd, and attempt to feed His flock of slaughter. Only the poor of the flock would follow His Word and the rest, especially the leaders, would reject it. The good Shepherd would have no more value to them than a common slave. As a consequence the people were given over to severe judgment, which included death, famine, war, civil strife, and the destruction of the nation. The nation went out of existence and the Jewish people were scattered all over the world because they rejected the true Shepherd.
Focusing on the Facts
1. In what role does Zechariah picture the Messiah in chapter 11 (see p. 1)?
2.Describe how the tone of chapter 11 differs from that of the previous chapters (see p. 1).
3.Why are the trees and shepherds in Israel pictured as wailing ( (vv. 1-3; see pp. 1-2)?
4.What historical incident is the devastation of verses 1-3 referring to (see p. 3)?
5.Although the Jewish were scattered over the known world, how has God’s sovereignty worked to their benefit (see p. 3)?
6.Is verbalizing God’s revelation the only means of prophesying? Explain (see p. 3).
7.What did God command Zechariah to do in verse 4 (see p. 4)?
8. Identify the “flock of slaughter.” Why did God want to feed the flock destined for slaughter (see p. 4)?
9.Although God used other nations to judge Israel, does that mean they are not guilty? Explain (see p. 4).
10. What reaction did Israel’s own leaders have toward the nation’s impending judgment (v. 5; see p. 5)?
11.What did God say would be the consequences for Israel’s rejection of their Messiah (v. 6; see pp. 5-6)?
12.What king did the people of Israel automatically select when they rejected Jesus (John 19:14-15; see p. 6)?
13.What did the Jewish leaders do to avoid Roman intervention over the controversy surrounding Jesus? How did that backfire on them (see p. 6)?
14.Identify the class of people who primarily responded to Jesus’ teaching. Support your answer with Scripture (see p. 6).
15.Explain the significance of the two shepherding staves of Zechariah (v. 7; see p. 7).
16.How did Jesus “cut off” the religious leaders who “abhorred” Him (v. 8; see pp. 7-8)?
17.When the nation of Israel rejected their Messiah, how was God’s graciousness set aside (v. 10; see p. 8)?
18.Who were “the poor of the flock” who recognized the fulfillment of prophecy in the fall of Jerusalem (v. 11; see p. 8)?
19.Explain the significance of God’s Shepherd being valued at thirty pieces of silver (v. 12; see pp. 8-9).
20.Explain the symbolism of the staff of unity being broken (v. 14; see p. 9).
Pondering the Principles
1.Zechariah 11 paints a tragic scene of punishment. Those who witness and experience it wail as they see it approaching. As a just Judge, God rewards man “according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath” (Rom. 2:6-8). When you share the gospel with others do you warn them about God’s judgment of sin and the consequences of rejecting the Good Shepherd? Consider using a passage like 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. Seek to have the mindset of the apostle Paul, who, knowing the terror of the Lord, beseeched people to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:11, 20).
2.Meditate on Isaiah 55. Identify the elements of God’s nature expressed in that passage. Verse 6 urges the reader to seek the Lord “while he may be found [and] while he is near.” Pray you might gain that sense of urgency in leading others to our merciful God.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
