Zechariah 11:4
This is what the Lord my God says: “Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter.” (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 11:4-6 and John 10:7-30
Zechariah 11 is a prophecy concerning the judgment of Judah during the time of Jesus’s first coming. God gave this prophecy to Zechariah who was to act out the instructions that he was given. This prophecy ultimately predicts Israel’s rejection of the Messiah but gives us a lot of details within it about Jesus and the environment that he stepped into when he came to earth.
God commands Zechariah to play the role of a true shepherd who takes care of his flock. He would act out everything that would happen with the Messiah comes as instructed by God. Zechariah is portraying Jesus who would come as the Good Shepherd to shepherd the flock which is the nation of Israel.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
Jesus used the analogy of a shepherd caring for his flock many times in his teachings. This was a direct reference to Zechariah 11 where he represents the true shepherd and the flock is the nation of Israel.
The NKJV says:
“Thus says the Lord my God, ‘Feed the flock for slaughter.’”
Feeding the flock is symbolic of the Messiah who would preach the good news to Israel. He would feed them the word of God but they would not listen. But more than just feed them, he would actually shepherd his flock. He walked among them, showing them the character of God and speaking the words of God. Yet they would not listen to him. The sheep refused to listen to the voice of the good shepherd.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt 9:36).
Israel was listening to the teachers of the law and they were leading them to destruction. These teachers were not true shepherds. They were more like the hired hand who works for his personal benefit. He is not willing to risk his life for these sheep. They aren’t really his sheep.
“The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep” (John 10:12-13).
So what will naturally happen to these sheep? They will be slaughtered by the wolf. The should listen to the good shepherd who wants to truly protect them and do what is best for them. But they will reject Jesus’s message. So Israel is like a flock of sheep marked for slaughter. Israel would reject the Messiah when he comes and thus would seal their fate to be destroyed.
Israel would be destroyed by Rome just a few years after Jesus is crucified. But the destruction spoken about by Zechariah’s prophecy is ultimately the destruction of their souls.
“The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:25-28).
The sheep that listen to Jesus will be given eternal life. Conversely, the sheep that don’t listen and don’t believe are going to perish. They are marked for slaughter.
We are now called to shepherd the sheep until Jesus returns.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Pet 5:2-4).
The sheep are precious to God. Those who are willing to shepherd his flock and set a good example for them will receive the crown of glory when Jesus returns to find his flock well-taken care of. He bought the salvation of his sheep with his own blood. It’s a precious gift. We would do well to be good shepherds of it.
Christ in the Old Testament 
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