Monthly ArchivesNovember 2020

Zech 11:14–17 11:14 Then I cut the second staff “Union” in two in order to annul the covenant of brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 15 Again the Lord said to me, “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16 Indeed, I am about to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not take heed of the sheep headed to slaughter, will not seek the scattered, and will not heal the injured. Moreover, he will not nourish the one that is healthy, but instead will eat the meat of the fat sheep and tear off their hooves. 17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! May a sword fall on his arm and his ...

Zech 11:11–13 11:11 So it was annulled that very day, and then the most afflicted of the flock who kept faith with me knew that it was the Lord’s message. 12 Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, pay me my wages, but if not, forget it.” So they weighed out my payment—30 pieces of silver. 13 The Lord then said to me, “Throw to the potter that exorbitant sum at which they valued me!” So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the temple of the Lord.   One thought: God’s Shepherd was rejected for 30 pieces of silver.     Three questions: How might this passage point ...

Zech 11:8–10 11:8 Next I eradicated the three shepherds in one month, for I ran out of patience with them and, indeed, they detested me as well. 9 I then said, “I will not shepherd you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be eradicated, let it be eradicated. As for those who survive, let them eat each other’s flesh!” 10 Then I took my staff “Pleasantness” and cut it in two to annul my covenant that I had made with all the people.     One thought: Humans hate to take responsibility, we prefer to blame others rather than acknowledge that we are the problem.     Three questions: Who were the problem? The shepherds ...

Zech 11:4–7 11:4 The Lord my God says this: “Shepherd the flock set aside for slaughter. 5 Those who buy them slaughter them and are not held guilty; those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich.’ Their own shepherds have no compassion for them. 6 Indeed, I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land,” says the Lord, “but instead I will turn every last person over to his neighbour and his king. They will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from them.” 7 So I began to shepherd the flock destined for slaughter, the most afflicted of all the flock. Then I took two staffs, calling one “Pleasantness” ...

Zech 11:1–3 11:1 Open your gates, Lebanon, so that the fire may consume your cedars. 2 Howl, fir tree, because the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees have been destroyed.Howl, oaks of Bashan, because the impenetrable forest has fallen. 3 Listen to the howling of shepherds, because their magnificence has been destroyed.Listen to the roaring of young lions, because the thickets of the Jordan have been devastated.   One thought: God’s poetry is a sword in the hands of a master.     Three questions: What do you think the big trees could represent? How have you felt about the different literature in Zechariah? Consider those who are considered the greatest in history – where are they now? Prayer: Praise ...

Zech 10:9–12 10:9 Though I scatter them among the nations, they will remember in far-off places—they and their children will survive and return. 10 I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the lands of Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be enough room for them. 11 The Lord will cross the sea of storms and will calm its turbulence. The depths of the Nile will dry up, the pride of Assyria will be humbled, and the domination of Egypt will be no more. 12 Thus I will strengthen them by my power, and they will walk about in my name,” says the Lord.     One thought: Israel was ...

Zech 10:6–8 10:6 “I (says the Lord) will strengthen the kingdom of Judah and deliver the people of Joseph and will bring them back because of my compassion for them. They will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the Lord their God, and therefore I will hear them. 7 The Ephraimites will be like warriors and will rejoice as if they had drunk wine. Their children will see it and rejoice; they will celebrate in the things of the Lord. 8 I will signal for them and gather them, for I have already redeemed them; then they will become as numerous as they were before.   One thought: God’s people gather together to celebrate His ...

Zech 10:3–5 10:3 “I am enraged at the shepherds and will punish the lead goats.“For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has brought blessing to his flock, the house of Judah, and will transform them into his majestic warhorse. 4 From him will come the cornerstone, the wall peg, the battle bow, and every ruler. 5 And they will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, for the Lord will be with them, and will defeat the enemy cavalry.   One thought: Horses are (apparently) beautiful, but also represent power and strength   Three questions: How might this passage point forward to Christ? Are you willing to fight for God’s causes? What godly causes ...

Zech 10:1–3 10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the season of the late spring rains—the Lord who causes thunderstorms—and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field. 2 For the household gods have spoken wickedness, the soothsayers have seen a lie, and the dreamers have disclosed emptiness and give comfort in vain. Therefore the people set out like sheep and become scattered because they have no shepherd. 3 “I am enraged at the shepherds and will punish the lead goats.“For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has brought blessing to his flock, the house of Judah, and will transform them into his majestic warhorse.   One thought: How often do we try to solve problems ...

Zech 9:14–17 9:14 Then the Lord will appear above them, and his arrow will shoot forth like lightning; the Sovereign Lord will blow the trumpet and will proceed in the southern storm winds. 15 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will guard them, and they will prevail and overcome with sling stones. Then they will drink and will become noisy like drunkards, full like the sacrificial basin or like the corners of the altar. 16 On that day the Lord their God will deliver them as the flock of his people, for they are the precious stones of a crown sparkling over his land. 17 How precious and fair! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the young ...