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.

Scripture

Ask the Lord for rain in the spring

For he makes the storm clouds.

And he will send showers of rain

so that every field becomes a lush pasture.

Observation

We need to ask the Lord for rain to make the lush pastures. Idols and fortune tellers are worthless and tell only lies.

God is angry towards the shepherds of Israel who have led his people astray. He will make his people into mighty warriors who will trample their enemies under their feet.

The people of Israel will be like victorious warriors and joyful as if made happy by wine. The children will rejoice in the Lord.

The people of the Lord will return from the nations, and their enemies, Assyria and Egypt, will be crushed.

Application

Here in Narrabri we normally have hot and dry summers. Grass quickly dries in the heat, and until we get rain in autumn, the landscape is usually brown. This summer is different, with abundant and regular rain keeping the grass growing and dams and rivers full.

The Lord invites us to ask him for the rain that we need to produce food and fibre crops. Despite our wealth and technology, our prosperity and survival depend ultimately on getting rain at the right time.

The image of lush pastures is a metaphor for prosperity more generally. Our economy is dependent on the favour of the Lord. If we are hit by a new disease, for example, poverty and suffering can result.

So we need to ask the Lord for what we need in order to prosper and live well.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I recognise that in every way I am dependent on you for my daily bread. Please provide all that I need, and may my thankfulness to you be a sign to others of your kingdom. Amen.