Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem in 538B.C. to begin rebuilding of the temple. They worked on it a few years before becoming discouraged and fearful. Temple construction ceased for around 15 years; resumning in 520B.C. when Zachariah and Haggai prophecied to the people (Ezra 5). It was five years later (515 B.C.) that it was completed.
Back in Zechariah 1, the prophet asked how long God would not have mercy on them. The answer was that mercy was returning to them and God was angry with the nations. Then in the first vision, the horsement who walked the earth reported that the earth was resting quietly. While Israel was in turmoil, the nations were content and at peace and comfortable. In this oracle, we see God bringing the nations to account.
This oracle from Zechariah speaks of God's judgment on the surrounding nations as well as His concern with protecting His people. The message reflects an imagery of the Divine Warrior fighting on behalf of His people. We get a glimpse of the a time when all the promises come true. This is a time when Israel would no longer be in turmoil while the world was content with its sinful ways; it would be a time would the Lord would bring turmoil to the world in judgment as he ruled in righteousness and a time of peace for Israel.
Zechariah 9:1-8
The Lord's hand was coming against the enemies of His people. His judgement seems to start in the north and work towards the south. Hadrach was in northern Syria along with Hamath, at the crossroads of two major trade routes. Damascus is in sourthern Syria; the chief city of the Arameans (Syrians). These judgments came by the hand of Alexander the Great; he conquered Hadrach and Hamath as he passed though Palestine and Philistia on his way to Egypt.
The Pheonician cities of Tyre and Sidon are then named. Zechariah seems to be mocking Tyre and Sidom for the wisdom. Ezekiel does the same thing in Ezekiel 28; The nation arrogantly trusted in its own wisdom and capabilities. They were known for their knowledge and skill but are now known for their satanic influence (Ezekiel 28:11-19). Tyre was a city on an island about half mile off shore. It was a extrement rich and fortified city, it's walls were 150 feet tall in places. It was considered invincible. The Assyrian king Shalmaneeser laid siege to Tyre for five years but never conquered the city. Babylonian king Nubuchadnezar tried for thirteen years unsuccessfully. Then Alexander the Great came along and conquered it in seven months by building a causeway out to the island with the rubble from the coastal city he destroyed.
Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and Ashdod were Philistine cities south of Tyre in Lebanon. These cities were conquered by Alexander the Great also. A mixed, or mongrel, race would settle in Ashdod. Some speculate this race are the Nephilim giants. All the Philistines took pride in would be destroyed by God. Their idolatry would be destroyed. This the reference to taking away the blood. They drank the blood of their sacrifices in the idolatrous worship. Likewise, they would not eat their sacrificies any longer. Those left would be absorbed into Israel. Ekron would be like a Jebusite; a reference to the Jebusites that once ruled Jerusalem. When David conquered them, they were absorbed into the culture.
God would set up camp around His temple in Jerusalem because of 'him who passes by and him who returned'. This is a reference to Alexander the Great who swept across Palestine on his way to conquer Egypt, he then returned the same way from Egypt. Josephus recorded it like this:
Now Alexander, when he had taken Gaza, made haste to go up to Jerusalem; (326) and Jaddua the high priest, when he heard that, was in an agony, and under terror, as not knowing how he should meet the Macedonians, since the king was displeased at his foregoing disobedience. He therefore ordained that the people should make supplications, and should join with him in offering sacrifices to God, whom he besought to protect that nation, and to deliver them from the perils that were coming upon them; (327) whereupon God warned him in a dream, which came upon him after he had offered sacrifice, that he should take courage, and adorn the city, and open the gates; that the rest appear in white garments, but that he and the priests should meet the king in the habits proper to their order, without the dread of any ill consequences, which the providence of God would prevent. (328) Upon which, when he rose from his sleep, he greatly rejoiced; and declared to all the warning he had received from God according to which dream he acted entirely, and so waited for the coming of the king
(329) And when he understood that he was not far from the city, he went out in procession, with the priests and the multitude of the citizens. The procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from that of other nations. It reached to a place called Sapha; which name, translated into Greek, signifies a prospect, for you have thence a prospect both of Jerusalem and of the temple; (330) and when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that followed him, thought they should have liberty to plunder the city, and torment the high priest to death, which the king's displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened; (331) for Alexander, when he saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments, while the priests stood clothed with fine linen, and the high priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with his mitre on his head having the golden plate on which the name of God was engraved, he approached by himself, and adored that name, and first saluted the high priest. (332) The Jews also did all together, with one voice, salute Alexander, and encompass him about: whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised at what Alexander had done, and supposed him disordered in his mind. (333) However, Parmenio alone went up to him, and asked him how it came to pass, that when all others adored him, he should adore the high priest of the Jews? To whom he replied, "I did not adore him, but that God who hath honored him with that high priesthood; (334) for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very habit, when I was at Dios, in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself how I might obtain the dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea thither, for that he would conduct my army, and would give me the dominion over the Persians; (335) whence it is, that having seen no other in that habit, and now seeing this person in it, and remembering that vision and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I believe that I bring this army under the divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer Darius, and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will succeed according to what is in my own mind." (336) And when he had said this to Parmenio, and had given the high priest his right hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city; and when he went up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high priest's direction, and magnificently treated both the high priest and the priests. (337) And when the book of Daniel was showed him, wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended; and as he was then glad, he dismissed the multitude for the present, but the next day he called them to him, and bade them ask what favors they pleased of him: (338) whereupon the high priest desired that they might enjoy the laws of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh year. He granted all they desired: and when they entreated him that he would permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he willingly promised to do hereafter what they desired: (339) and when he said to the multitude, that if any of them would enlist themselves in his army on this condition, that they should continue under the law of their forefathers, and live according to them, he was willing to take them with him, many were ready to accompany him in his wars. [1]
Alexander was a tool of God Most High.
Zechariah 9:9-10
In the first eight verses we saw God's hand on the nations reversing what was seen by His agents in the first vision. The world was going to be in turmoil and God was bringing peace to Jerusalem and Judah. The promise of this ultimate peace is found in the coming messiah!
As the Jews attempted to absorb all that Zechariah was telling them, they were to understand this passage as a source of great joy. Their King was coming. All of mans attempts to rule himself have failed and would continue to fail. But the day was coming would this King would rule God's people perfectly. King Jesus is righteous and victorious over all the nations; all His enemies would be His footstool. Yet King Jesus would be different than other kings. He would come humbly on a donkey; not arrogant and with pomp, not to be served but to serve.
There are two distinct seasons in view in these two verses:
- Verse nine -The humble coming of the King.
- The first coming, as a child, born of Mary and laid in a manger.
- Verse ten - King Jesus will come in power and enforce peace and righteousness. There won't be any need for an army or warriors. His reign will be universal.
- The second coming in power and authority to take the throne.
It really is fascinating that the Jews knew these scriptures and didn't recognize their messiah. They stumbled over the fact that both verses weren't fulfilled in the first coming; particularly when the first the first coming ended on a Roman cross (or so they thought).
Zechariah 9:11-17
We can begin to see how the promises of the eight visions would play out. God would bring His people back, restore them, protect them and bring them a perfect king. Judah was scattered, many still in Babylon. Prisoners were often kept in dried up sisterns (waterlss pit). God would deliver His people from a pit to a stonghold. God Himself was the stronghold of Israel. They weren't prisoners without hope, their hope was found in Yahweh. They would be restored and, not just blessed, but doubly blessed. Judah and Ephraim would be God's bow and arrow aginst the enemies, of which one was Javan (what would become Greece) of Zechariah's day.
Verse 13 was initially fulfilled when the Maccabeans defeated Greece. But we should probably look beyond that for the final fulfillment when Jesus will defend Israel in the last days. When the whole world is against her, the Lord will come to defense and save them. Jesus will be their shepherd and they will be His sheep. The Jews will be His crown jewels.
17 For how great is its goodness
And how great its beauty![2]
Zechariah 10:1-5
The latter rains were in March or April. They would ask for rain and the Lord would provide for them. In contrast to this picture is that of the idols of the nations. The idols gave a false hope. Through diviners they spoke lies and led people astray and further from real hope. Their lives are characterized as sheep wandering around with no shepherd to care for them and provide for them.
God expresses His anger against the false shepherds who lead the flock astray. He will punish those leaders (goatherds). The Lord will visit His flock and by his presence, they will be transformed from this sheeplike flock to a warhouse. From this warhorse will come:
- The cornerstone – the first stone laid
- Ultimately Jesus is the cornerstone; build on Him
- The tent peg – holding all things securely; keeping the shelter in place
- Jesus holds it all together; hope in Him
- The battle bow – the ability to war against the enemy
- Jesus is our general and warrior; trust and follow Him.
- Every ruler – all the rulers would submit to Israel by the power of Jesus
- Jesus is the King of all kings; bow before Him.
Zechariah 10:6-8
The nation of Israel will be strengthened; Judah, the remenant of the southern kingdom, Joseph representative of the northern kingdom. God promises to bring them back and have mercy on them, restore them and they will celebrate and rejoice in the Lord. Like a shepherd that whistles to gather his sheep, the Lord will gather His people by redeeming them. This is the picture of 'buying them back' from slavery, captivity and bondage to othr nations.
We see in context of Zechariah's day a gathering as Zerubbabel brought fifty-thousand from captivity back to Jerusalem. Several more groups would follow. This was a near fulfillment, but the prophecy looks far beyond this. Zecharaiah is pointing to the final days when the enemies of the Lord were brought into submission and the Jews would return to Jerusalem as believers.
Zechariah 10:9-12
This began and was partly fulfilled in 1948 when, after 2000 years, Israel was once again a nation state. Many of her people came home. The Jews came from many nations and many cultures; and even though they had no home, they maintained their Jewish culture. Historically, many nations have been conquered and the people are absorbed into the conquering culture and peoples leaving only a hint or trace of their cultre embedded in the conquering nations. But Israel exists, as a remnant, preserved by God across the ages, even when they had no home. They had the promise that one day the Lord would call them home, gather them and restore them, not just to the land but also to Him.
The history of the Jews is remarkable; Zechariah says Israel will 'pass through the sea of affliction'. The Jews always seem to have a sense of being set apart; different and seen as different without any real explanation of this. Across the ages, many, if not most were unbelievers, yet they maintained their nationality. Imagine being a Jews during Hitler's reign and seeing your people gathered and systematically exterminated. Yet they were preserved. While many had have wondered who would stand for them and defend them; the Lord preserved the nations. In 1967, they faced an overwhelming situation and had to wonder if they could survive. Again, the Lord intervened and preserved them for the day, they would be gathered in the land and to Him.
Even today, nearly every nation surrounding them wants them anihilated. They nation stands strong today in the face of overwhelming opposition. God continues to supernaturally preserve them; not because they are special in and of themselves, but because He chose them to reveal Himself to the nations. The heritage, history and life of a Jew might feel a little like that expressed by Tevye in Fidler on the Roof. In praying to God he said, "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?"
See also Isaiah 11.
The difficult existance of Israel is not yet done. There is still at least one more period of time when they must pass through affliction. Jeremiah calls this the 'time of Jacob's trouble' and it is yet to come (Jeremiah 30:7). There is a great battle of Ezekiel 38 & 39 in which the Lord will save them. There is also a Great Ttibulation to come. As promised here and other places (see Ezekiel 40), as Israel was once brought out of captivity to the Promised Land, there is a day coming when a very similar situation will play out. God will bring His people home to the Promised Land. They will be His people, He will be their God. And all the nations will see, all the nations will flock to the Lord.
God takes a people that were as good as dead, unable to save themselves. Like the dry bones of Ezekiel 37, the Lord breathes life into them. He can bring life where there was none. From death he can bring resurrection. He is still in the business of salvation and redemption. He calls to each of us; to turn from our sin and submit to Him. Trust in Jesus Christ; it will be as if you joined Him on the cross so that you can join Him in resurrection, righteousness and salvation. Yet, He led the way, did all the work. All we have to do is trust and believe; this belief penetrates our life, changing our heart and minds to become more like Him. If you've not experienced this, you can; today, now – this is the day of your salvation. If you already know this, sing His praise and rejoice in Him once again.
Chapter 11
Chapters 9&10 gave us a grand and sweeping view across history. It's as if those leaders stood on the steps of the newly completed temple wondering, "What's next?" "What's in store for Israel?" They saw the Lord use the elements of this world to be both a tool of judgment to the enemies of Israel but also to protect Israel. At the same time, we could see the gathering and restoration of God's people. But looking across the horizon of history is a distorted timeline for human eyes. It's hard to see how the years stack up.
This next oracle from Zechariah paints a different picture. It is focused on the unfaithful shepherds and their failure to protect the land and the people under God's direction. Then we see a judgment coming against the people and their leaders for rejecting Yahweh. This plays out in this chapter in these 3 elements:
- Yahweh orders the prophet to become shepherd of the sheep for slaughter.
- His service appears to symbolize Yahweh's relationship with Israel through the prophets:
- They attempt to lead the people back to Yahweh, but the people persist in their obstinate rebellion until both prophet and Yahweh are frustrated.
Zechariah 11:1-3
Lebanon was along the Mediterranean between Israel and Syria. It is a mountainous region famous for its trees. The prophet commands the mountains to open the door and usher in the inevitable judgment. The fires of judgment would sweep through the majestic forests of, oak, cypress and cedars. The invitation is to wail for the ruined trees; wail for the fall of the mighty forest. As the fires sweep across the land, the prophet hears the sound of the wailing shepherds as all they trusted in was consumed by flames. This is interrupted by the roaring of lions as the lush thicket of the Jordan is destroyed.
This is one of those passages that you can find many opinions on; is it linked to the judgment spoken of in chapter 10 or does it belong to the 'shepherd' passages of chapter 11? Should the language be seen as figurative or literal? In these cases, it seems best to take the plain meaning and the simplest understanding first. Judgment was declared against Lebanon. The fires of judgment would sweep through Lebanon destroying their glory and all they trusted in. However, Israel trusted in these cedars and oaks also. With this next passage so focused on the unfaithful shepherds it seems natural to link this passage to that idea. The temple had been built from these forests. As judgment is seen in this sweeping passage, we also see it personally affect the shepherds. If the shepherds are the priests of Israel, then their glory which lay in ruins is the temple. The landscape is damaged, the young lions are on the prowl, pushed from their lairs by the flames.
Zechariah prophesied of this future event, seeing this vision. We can look to the Roman army marching on Judea to put down Jewish rebellion. In 70A.D. Titus Vespasion sieged and conquered Jerusalem. As the city was sacked, the temple was inadvertantly set on fire. The fleeeing people were slaughtered, many innocent and unarmed civilians. Josephus describes this scene:
As the legions charged in, neither persuasion nor threat could check their impetuosity: passion alone was in command. Crowded together around the entrances many were trampled by their friends, many fell among the still hot and smoking ruins of the colonnades and died as miserably as the defeated. As they neared the Sanctuary they pretended not even to hear Caesar's commands and urged the men in front to throw in more firebrands. The partisans were no longer in a position to help; everywhere was slaughter and flight. Most of the victims were peaceful citizens, weak and unarmed, butchered wherever they were caught. Round the Altar the heaps of corpses grew higher and higher, while down the Sanctuary steps poured a river of blood and the bodies of those killed at the top slithered to the bottom.
We know the Jesus spoke of this same future destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' "(Matthew 23:34)
Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Matthew 24:1-2)
This passage of Zechariah could be speaking of the same judgment that was fulfilled in 70A.D. due to Israel's rejection of the Good Shepherd.
Zechariah 11:4-6
Zechariah is to play the role of a good shepherd and experience the rejection that The Good Shepherd Jesus Christ would one day experience. He is acting out this prophecy with an actual flock of sheep. The sheep represent the people as Zechariah plays the part of the shepherd. This flock was destined for slaughter in this season of judgment. If these were sheep to provide meat then slaughter with no guilt might be acceptable. But these sheep are God's people; the unfaithful shepherds oppress and abuse these sheep, fattening them up for their advantage in lining their pockets. Instead of caring the people, they took advantage of them.
Not only have the shepherds forsaken God, but the people have to. They don't cry out to their God for relief. They've forsaken him and run to other Gods. So, God declares that He will no longer pity the sheep; the people of the land. They would be given to the hand of their neighbor and his king.
See Jeremiah 2.
Zechariah 11:7-14
Zechariah is obedient to the Lord and he fed the flock. The picture is that of Israel rejecting the Lord, not desiring Him as their shepherd, not wanting to be His flock. So, they were pastured for slaughter. The greedy shepherds took advantage of the flock. Instead of caring for them, they took advantage of them; particularly the poor.
Zechariah takes ups two symbolic staffs. These staffs were tools used by the shepherd to care for the flock; one to guide the sheep and one to ward off wild beasts threatening the flock. The one staff was 'beauty' and the other 'bonds'; the NIV calls them 'favor' and 'union'. We might understand these better as 'grace' and 'unity'. The first staff represents the first guiding principal of grace, beauty, favor, delight; it's symbolic of God's blessing on His people. The second staff and guiding principal represents the unity, harmony and bond of the Lord with His people. Abide in me and I in you (John 15:4).
Note: The 2 staffs are representative of Jesus; Favor as the good shepherd of love and grace tending to his flock; Union speaks of the rod used to bind together the believers and ward off the wolves. particularly to fight off the enemy.
The three shepherds are dismissed. There are varying opinions regarding the identity of these shepherds. It is likely not a specific identity but the orders by which Israel was ruled:
- The priests
- The prophets
- The kings
While the men in these roles were to represent and minister on behalf of the Lord, they had turned these into a profession to serve themselves and their selfish desires. Zechariah delcares in his role as the good shepherd, "My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me." This passage showing the dismissal of these three also seems to have been fulfilled in 70A.D. as these three offices were eliminated at the destruction of the temple. The final fulfillment of the three roles is found in Jesus Christ.
Then, the food stopped. They were dying already – in their rebellion, already dead in a sense. They were dead in that they had lost the protection by the shepherding hand of the Lord. As this protection was removed the enemy would swarm them. This is the scene of 66A.D. to 70A.D.when Rome sieged Jerusalem. Those that are left would eat each others flesh. This, too, was seen at inside the walls as the Jews were starving under this siege.
The first staff was broken; as the covenant was broken by the people. The guiding principal of the shepherd were no longer in place; they were no longer his sheep, nor He their shepherd. There was no longer any favor or delight. The covenant was cut on that day.
There was apparently a small group within the bigger flock who were watching the Lord. They were the poor and afflicted. They had their eyes on God and knew that it was His word. During the siege of Jerusalem there were many Christians in the city. Suddenly Titus lifted the siege for a few days; no one can account for why Titus did this. The Christians had remembered the warning Jesus made (Matthew 24:16) and so they fled the city. They barely escaped before the siege was back on, ending the total destruction of the city and the death of most of the inhabitants.
Did the people appreciate the shepherd over them? Zechariah leaves the amount of his wage to their discretion. If they find it agreeable, they might give him his wages. So, they weighed out thirty pieces of silver. This was the set amount to compensate for a slave accidentally killed. It was a statement to the shepherd that they saw him as a slave. To Israel, any slave with breath in their lungs was seen as a greater value than the shepherd. This is more than outright rejection of the shepherd, it is contempt and insult.
The Lord, using biting sarcasm, told Zechariah to throw this 'princely price' to the potter. He did so, throwing them into the house of the Lord for the potter. The other staff is broken, destroying the unity of the nation and the unity with the Lord. Israel was scattered after the destruction at the hands of the Romans. In Matthew 26 & 27 we see Judas betray the Lord and place the value of His life 30 pieces of silver. This is the rejection of The Good Shepherd. Judas
Note on 'princely price': McArthur says this is when the ultimate sarcasm of God greeted the ultimate insult from humanity.
Zechariah 11:15-17
Now, Zechariah will change roles, he takes up the implements of the foolish, or worthless shepherd. He plays a part as a worthless shepherd to make the point to Israel that God would raise up a worthless shepherd as a means of judgment. This judgment was due upon their rejection of Him as their shepherd. They would in fact reject him and receive another.
43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. (John 5:43)
We see this atttude when the crowd stood before Pilate and said, regarding Barabbas, "release him!" Regarding Jesus, they said, "Crucify Him!" Christ is the Son of God. Barabbas means 'son of the father'; but he was the son of another father.
But who is this worthless shepherd that would be raised up? After all, he won't care care the sheep that are in trouble or abandoned. He won't look after the young or bring healing to the afflicted. He won't even feed them, but he will feed on them.
Why would this shepherd be accepted by them? The shepherd will tickle their ear and make them feel good about themselves. All the bad things that happen to them under his care will be someone elses fault. They will be convinced he is the answer to their problems, not the cause. Our sinful nature accepts this human rule and rejected the rule of God. We tend to set our self on the throne, or somone much like us rather than put King Jesus on the throne of our life.
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd; that makes the bad shepherd anti-christ. In general, any shepherd that rules in lawlessness, opposes God and exalts himself represents this 'spirit of anti-christ. This can be seen in Rome, in Nazi Germany, Saddam Hussein and even Kim Jong Un. But the final and ultimate will be seen in a man who comes to world power and is embraced, particularly by Israel, for a time. We see this final anti-christ discussed in Daniel 7 and 11; 2 Thessalonians 2, 1 John 2 and 2 John 7 as well as Revelation 13.
This idea of an anti-christ who will be so charismatic and charming as to fool most of the world scares us. Could we be fooled? Yes, the scriptures warn us over and over. We don't have to live in fear though, we just live in the presence and care of the real and authentic Great Shepherd. When we live close to Him, then everything else will be known for what it is. Any other shepherd will be of lesser value, a fake and phony. The anti-christ will rise to power in the final days by emulating Jesus Christ. But make no mistake, it is the Father that allows this to happen. It is judgment for rejection of the Good Shepherd. The throne of God will never be threatened by this. The true church will not fall prey to the anti-christ. God's plan will be worked out.
Woe is declared agaisnt this worthless shepherd for abandoning the flock. His arm and eye are the implements for which to care for the flock. His eye to watch over them, his arm to care for them. He will be judged in that his eye is blinded and his arm is whithered. This becomes a physical display of the woe judgment on him for his abandonment of the flock.
Note: In light of Zechariah playing the part of the shepherd, its worth noting his murder. In Matthew 23 when Jesus was calling the Pharisees to account, He called them a brood of vipers and said this: Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
John 10:1-5 The good Shepherd
©2017 Doug Ford
[1] Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). The works of Josephus: complete and unabridged (pp. 306–307). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[2] The New King James Version. (1982). (Zec 9:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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