Scripture

I got rid of the three evil shepherds in a single month.

Observation

The Lord tells Zechariah to go and care for a flock of sheep intended for slaughter. No one cares about these sheep – not the buyers, nor the sellers, not even the shepherds.

Zechariah takes two shepherd’s staffs, and names one Favour, and the other Union. He gets rid of three evil shepherds in a single month.

He takes the staff called Favour and cut it in half to show that God has revoked his covenant with the nations. Then he takes the other staff and cuts it in two to show that the bond of unity between Israel and Judah was broken.

The Lord then sends Zechariah to play the part of a worthless shepherd. The Lord will give the nation a worthless shepherd who will not care for the people. The Lord will punish this man.

Application

The Lord has the power to raise leaders up and pull them down.

The church must not follow the ways of the world in condemning leaders that we disagree with. Rather, we must be constantly in prayer for the Lord to grant us wise and Christ- loving leaders.

The last federal election in Australia was widely expected to be won by the Labor Party. Instead, Scott Morrison and the Liberal National Coalition were elected. Scott Morrison, who is a christian, declared it was a miracle.

The Premier of New South Wales scoffed about churches in a press conference detailing Covid restrictions. In a month or so, she was forced to resign, and was replaced by a devout Catholic Premier.

We must pray for our leaders, that we are given good shepherds not evil ones.

Prayer

Lord, I pray that every evil shepherd who does not acknowledge you will be pulled down. Thank you that you have that power to raise up and pull down. Amen.