At times, a prophet’s actions can be both confusing and captivating. For example, Isaiah once walked around in a loincloth to symbolize the impending exile of the people of Jerusalem.
Zachariah got his point across to the nation by breaking two sticks in front of its leaders, using this symbolic act to emphasize his message.
I took two staffs; one I named Favor, the other I named Unity, and I tended the sheep.
I took my staff Favor and broke it, annulling the covenant that I had made with all the peoples.
Then I broke my second staff Unity, annulling the family ties between Judah and Israel. (Zechariah 11.7, 10, and 14).
While the specific details of this act may be hard to grasp, the overall message is clear. The people have forsaken God, leading to what appears to be God allowing them to face the consequences of their actions, including the rift between the families of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.
Childish Leaders
Zechariah addressed his warning specifically to the nation’s leaders, including priests and government officials. He criticized them for acting like self-interested shepherds who neglect their duty to care for the flock.
He implied that when God decides to punish a nation for its failure to heed His guidance, He allows leaders like the negligent shepherds depicted by both Zechariah and Isaiah to take charge.
For now the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts,
is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah . . .
Warrior and soldier,
judge and prophet,
diviner and elder,
And I will make youths their princes,
and children shall rule over them.
For Jerusalem has stumbled,
and Judah has fallen,
because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord,
defying his glorious presence. (Isaiah 3.1, 2, 4, and 8)
Why does God replace commendable leaders with those exhibiting childish behaviors and attitudes? It is because our behaviors and attitudes often conflict with God’s will, demonstrating a defiance of His presence.
In his book, Isaiah dedicates 32 chapters to persuading Judah to place their trust in God instead of forming alliances with other nations. Ultimately, when facing a critical moment, King Hezekiah turned to God, entrusting himself to Divine protection with successful reliance (Isaiah 37).
Each of us has one vote to help determine the kind of leadership that we have in America. We cannot change leaders of foreign nations.
One thing we all can do is to come before the Lord and ask Him to guide people in business, the church, and government to fully rely upon God rather than our own self-interest.
Ezekiel’s Message About Leaders
The Psalm writer declared that only a fool believes they will have no accountability before God (Psalm 14). The prophet Ezekiel explains the kind of accountability God will hold leaders to throughout all ages.
“Woe, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat; you clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatted calves, but you do not feed the sheep.
“You have not strengthened the weak; you have not healed the sick; you have not bound up the injured; you have not brought back the strays; you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them.
“So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and scattered they became food for all the wild animals.
“My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill; my sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with no one to search or seek for them” (Ezekiel 34.2-6).
We can summarize the behavior of these bad shepherds: They have been feeding themselves at the expense of the sheep. God says He will hold them accountable for their behavior.
As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have become a prey and my sheep have become food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd . . . Thus says the Lord God: I am against the shepherds” (Ezekiel 34.8 and 10).
Shepherds who feed themselves will stand before God and be judged for their behavior. On the other hand, God declares that He Himself will seek the sheep and care for them.
This is exactly what Jesus did for us when He entered our world and He found us “harassed and helpless as sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9.36).
“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God.
“I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strays, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice” (Ezekiel 34.15-16).
Our Response
In considering the role of shepherds, how should we react?
First, it’s important to recognize that everyone is observed by someone. If we act as a shepherd to others, it’s crucial to understand that our role is to serve, protect, and care for them, rather than focusing solely on our own interests.
Second, we can follow the example set by Hezekiah by repenting, turning to God, and fully acknowledging our reliance on Him.
Third, we can pray that leaders in business, government, and the church will be the kind of shepherds God has designed them to be.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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