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"Woe to the worthless shepherd"

Text: Zechariah 11:17

IN THE END

The foolish and wicked shepherds may feel that they had succeeded. The Covenant with God was broken. The Good Shepherd was done away with. But they were very wrong!

“Woe to the worthless shepherd,
Who leaves the flock!
A sword shall be against his arm
And against his right eye;
His arm shall completely wither,
And his right eye shall be totally blinded.”
Zechariah 11:17

1. The shepherds described as:

a) Foolish Zechariah 11:15

b) Wicked (defined by their deeds) Zechariah 11:16

c) Worthless Zechariah 11:17

2. “Who leaves the flock”

a) The worthless shepherd would leave the flock to fend for themselves.

b) The flock would then become easy prey to wild animals or thieves.

3. Woe was pronounced against these worthless shepherds

a) This would be in the form of a censure issued against the worthless shepherds.

b) But the woe could also take the form of more severe punishments.

4. Deadly consequences for the worthless shepherds were highlighted:

a) “A sword shall be against his arm”

His arm shall completely wither:

i) The arm represents “strength”.

ii) His arm would be attacked and be rendered useless (“wither”).

b) His right eye:

i) This represents sight and wisdom.

ii) These would perish. He would be a blind leader leading other blind people.