A Different Kind Of Shepherd And Sheep
(Pauline Yek, Pastoral Team Member, Missions)
READ:
Zechariah 11:4-17 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In this prophecy of the shepherds, I see a different portrayal of sheep and shepherds:
- The flock for slaughter. This flock has owners who feel no guilt in butchering them and their shepherds have no interest in showing mercy and kindness to them. Zechariah took over and fed this flock, in particular the poor and the oppressed.
- The false shepherds. Instead of caring and protecting their flock of sheep, these shepherds are corrupted and couldn’t care less about their flock. Zechariah got rid of them within a month.
- The foolish and useless shepherds. Then God said to Zechariah to act like a foolish shepherd who will not care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed the healthy. He will take advantage of the sheep and inflict cruelty on them. This chapter ends with a dreadful judgement on the useless shepherd who leaves the flock.
APPLY
The imagery of shepherd and sheep in Zechariah 11 is distinctively different from the other Bible passages on the good shepherd and the lost sheep. The flock for slaughter brings to mind the poor, the least and the last, who are like the sheep to the slaughter, they are helpless victims who suffered injustice and oppression from the world. Even though they may have the so-called shepherds, or guardians, these shepherds are corrupted and took advantage of them. How can I be an instrument of God to reach out to them? I ought to be intentional in seeking them out, and find out ways in which I can play a part to protect and care for them.
In recent times, I also see renowned Bible teachers and evangelists who profited financially from innocent believers and betrayed the trust of the Christian community. God will deal sternly with these false and foolish “shepherds” who are self-serving, who neither edify, exhort nor console their sheep by the Word and thereby deny spiritual nourishment to their flock of sheep. In fact, those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Shepherds will be held with a higher level of accountability to God for their flock of sheep.
DO
Shepherds are spiritual leaders. A good shepherd has compassion for his flock, in particularly, the hurting, the wounded and the broken. Good shepherds will not neglect their duties to protect and care for their flock. I am reminded to:
- Love my sheep. Be intentional in seeking them out, build spiritual relationship with them so that they experience God who can truly set them free from the oppression.
- Tend my sheep. Be faithful and diligent in providing spiritual nourishment to those I am responsible for.
- Always pray for my spiritual leaders, church pastors and my mentors who carry greater responsibilities in shepherding and teaching God’s flock.
PRAY
O Lord, grant me a heart of compassion for the least and the last and a willing heart to be shepherds of Your flock, always seeking to care and watch over them, not because I must, but as You want me to be, eager to serve those whom You have entrusted to me. Help me to be faithful and diligent in serving them. And I know when the Chief Shepherd appears, I will receive the crown of life that You have promised. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
