Two Shepherds

Daily Devotional: Read Zechariah 11:4–17

It is not enough to simply have a good leader. We must also accept and follow that leadership. It is a two-way relationship. Even the best leader can be ineffective if people refuse to trust and embrace their direction.

Trusted shepherd?

In Zechariah 11, the Lord calls His prophet to role-play as two different shepherds. First, Zechariah acts as the good shepherd. In this role, he was to look after the oppressed and protect the flock (v. 7). The good shepherd role prophesies about Israel’s rejection of Jesus in His first coming. Zechariah vividly describes this rejection: “The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them and said, ‘I will not be your shepherd’” (vv. 8–9).

After rejecting the good shepherd, the people gave back pay to the shepherd of thirty pieces of silver. The Lord directed Zechariah to throw this silver to the potter, a symbolic act that points to Judas’s betrayal (Matt. 27:3–5). The rejection of Jesus would lead Israel to follow false leaders, contributing to its destruction by the Romans in AD 70.

Zechariah was then called to role play a “foolish shepherd” (v. 15). While it is debated who this shepherd can be, he could refer to a future “man of lawlessness” (2 Thess. 2:3) or an end-times anti-Messiah figure (Rev. 13:1–10). This leader will “not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured” (v. 16). This evil leader will be judged and destroyed by the Lord (v. 17).

As believers, we are called to follow the Lord’s leadership. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). As we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, we will clearly recognize His voice and follow His leading.

Go Deeper

How would you rate yourself as a follower? Do you listen to your Shepherd’s voice? What are some ways you can improve your “following”?

Pray with Us

God, Your rule is perfect, and we desire to follow Your leading. Guide us into Your truth, helping us to trust in Your compassion and goodness. Incline our ears to hear Your voice.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

John 10:14