Zechariah 11
Lutheran reading notes
In Zechariah chapter 11, the prophetic message develops the theme of visions of restoration and messianic hope. Lutheran interpretation often highlights the contrast between divine judgment against sin and the promise of grace that God provides for those who trust in Him.
1
Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
Zechariah 11:1 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. {mighty: or, gallants} {the forest...: or, the defenced forest}
Zechariah 11:2 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
{There is} a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
4
Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
Zechariah 11:4 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed {be} the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.
Zechariah 11:5 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver {them}. {deliver: Heb. make to be found}
Zechariah 11:6 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And I will feed the flock of slaughter, {even} you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. {even...: or, verily the poor} {Bands: or, Binders}
Zechariah 11:7 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. {lothed...: Heb. was straightened for them}
Zechariah 11:8 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. {another: Heb. his fellow, or, neighbour}
Zechariah 11:9 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
And I took my staff, {even} Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
Zechariah 11:10 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it {was} the word of the LORD. {so...: or, the poor of the flock, etc. certainly knew}
Zechariah 11:11 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give {me} my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty {pieces} of silver. {If ye...: Heb. If it be good in your eyes}
Zechariah 11:12 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty {pieces} of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Zechariah 11:13 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
Then I cut asunder mine other staff, {even} Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. {Bands: or, Binders}
Zechariah 11:14 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
Zechariah 11:15 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, {which} shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. {cut off: or, hidden} {feed: or, bear}
Zechariah 11:16 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword {shall be} upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Zechariah 11:17 highlights prophetic call to repentance and hope with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.