QT 23/12/2025 Tue. Zechariah 11 Follow The Good Shepherd 跟随良善的牧者

QT 23/12/2025 Tue. Zechariah 11 Follow The Good Shepherd
READ http://www.esv.org/zechariah11

Zechariah 11 is prophetic in its message of judgment against the leaders of Israel and the rejection of God's appointed shepherd. The chapter speaks of defective leadership and their failure to lead the people in faithfulness to God.

(1) The Shepherds of Israel (Zechariah 11:1-3):

Zechariah begins by speaking of the destruction of the "cedar forests" and the "oaks of Bashan," which represent the mighty and powerful leaders of Israel. The metaphor of shepherds is often used to describe leaders, and here it speaks to Israel's failed leadership that caused the flock (the people) to suffer.

Reflection: Godly leadership is important. The failure of Israel’s leaders serves as a warning about the impact of poor leadership—both in the church and in broader society—and the need for leaders who reflect God’s heart, guide with wisdom, and care for the people entrusted to them.

(2) The Worthless Shepherds (Zechariah 11:4-14):

In these verses, Zechariah is told to act as a shepherd who "feeds the flock" but ultimately becomes disillusioned by the wickedness of the people and their rejection of him. The rejection of the shepherd here foreshadows the rejection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate shepherd.

Reflection: Jesus Himself alludes to Zechariah 11 in the New Testament, especially in Matthew 26:31 when He says, "I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." For believers today, this becomes a powerful reminder of Christ’s suffering and His willingness to be rejected for the sake of His people. It also calls attention to the cost of following Christ, as rejection and suffering are part of the journey of faith.

(3) The Thirty Pieces of Silver (Zechariah 11:12-13):

In this passage, Zechariah is paid thirty pieces of silver for his role as a shepherd, but it is considered a "miserable price" (the price of a slave). This act is seen as a foreshadowing of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, as recorded in Matthew 27:3-10.

Reflection: Judas’ betrayal illustrates the tragic value that was placed on Jesus by the religious leaders of His time. It underscores the deep rejection and dishonor that Christ faced for the salvation of mankind. Today, we reflect on how much Jesus sacrificed in His rejection and how He still offers Himself to humanity despite this betrayal.

(4) The End of the Shepherd and the Fall of the Flock (Zechariah 11:15-17):

The chapter ends with God condemning the "worthless shepherd" who does not care for the sheep, and the flock is left to be destroyed. This is often interpreted as a prophecy concerning false shepherds who neglect or lead God's people astray.

Reflection: This serves as a warning for Christians today to be mindful of false teachers and to rely on the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Guard against spiritual complacency and ensure that they are following Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Takeaways for Devotion: Note Christ’s role as the ultimate shepherd who was rejected by the leaders of Israel (and the world) but whose sacrificial death provides the way for salvation. Guard against following leaders who are unfaithful to God’s word and will.  God’s Sovereignty: Despite the rejection of Israel’s leaders and the seeming hopelessness of the situation, God is still in control. He uses even the rejection and failure of human leadership to fulfill His larger redemptive purposes through Christ.

QT 23/12/2025 星期二.  撒迦利亚书11 跟随良善的牧者
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/zec/11/

撒迦利亚书第11章以先知性的信息宣告了对以色列领袖的审判，以及他们拒绝上帝所立之牧者的结局。本章揭露了领袖的缺陷及其未能带领百姓忠心侍奉上帝的失败。

(1) 以色列的牧者（撒迦利亚书11:1-3）：

撒迦利亚开篇描述“香柏树林”与“巴珊的橡树”的毁灭，象征以色列强盛的领袖。牧者比喻常用于形容领袖，此处揭示以色列失败的领导导致羊群（百姓）受苦。

反思：敬虔的领导至关重要。以色列领袖的失败警示着不良领导力的危害——无论在教会还是社会中——更凸显出需要那些反映神心意、以智慧引导、关怀所托之民的领袖。

(2) 无用的牧人（撒迦利亚书11:4-14）：

在这段经文中，撒迦利亚被要求扮演牧羊人的角色，“喂养羊群”，却最终因百姓的邪恶与拒绝而心灰意冷。这里牧羊人遭弃的预兆，预示了终极牧者耶稣基督将被世人弃绝的命运。

反思：耶稣本人在新约中曾暗指《撒迦利亚书》第11章，尤其在《马太福音》26章31节中祂说：“我要击打牧人，羊群就分散了。” 对当代信徒而言，这成为基督受难的有力见证——祂甘愿为子民承受弃绝。这也提醒跟随基督的代价：弃绝与苦难本是信仰旅程的组成部分。

(3) 三十块银钱（撒迦利亚书11:12-13）：

此处撒迦利亚因牧羊之职获三十块银子，却被视为“可悲的价钱”（奴隶之价）。此举预示了马太福音27:3-10记载的犹大以三十块银子出卖耶稣的背叛。

反思：犹大的背叛揭示了当时宗教领袖对耶稣的可悲估价，凸显了基督为拯救人类所承受的深重弃绝与羞辱。今日我们默想：耶稣在遭弃绝时付出了何等代价，又如何在背叛之后仍持续将自己献给世人。

(4) 牧者的终结与羊群的覆灭（撒迦利亚书11:15-17）：

本章以神谴责那不顾羊群的“无用牧人”收尾，羊群终将遭毁灭。此处常被解读为预言那些疏于照管或引诱神子民走入歧途的假牧者。

反思：这警示当代基督徒要警惕假教师，依靠真正的牧者耶稣基督。当防备属灵的自满，确保跟随那位为羊舍命的好牧人基督（约翰福音10:11）。

灵修要点：留意基督作为终极牧者的角色——祂虽遭以色列（及世人）领袖弃绝，但祂的牺牲之死却开辟了救赎之路。谨防追随背离神话语与旨意的领袖。神的主权：纵使以色列领袖拒绝祂，处境看似绝望，神仍掌权。祂甚至利用人领袖的拒绝与失败，借基督成就更宏大的救赎计划。