Scripture Reading : Zechariah 11
Theme : The Rejection of the Messiah
Destruction of Israel (1-3). The returned exiles who are the original recipients of this oracle are loved by God (8:15). However, God prophesizes He will reject Israel again in the future because of their rejection of the Messiah. Shepherds and lions represent Israel and their leaders, just as Lebanon and Bashan represent the land of Israel. The prophecy speaks of the destruction of Israel. Vv.4-17 tell the readers the reason for the destruction is because Israel rejects the Messiah. The destruction of Israel after they rejected Jesus was also prophesized by Jesus in two different places: Luke 23:28-31 and 21:6. The destruction was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
Rejection of Messiah (4-17). God calls Zechariah to play the role of a shepherd in order to represent and prophesize about the true shepherd—Jesus, and His rejection. He holds two staffs: favour and union, meaning blessing and unity for the nation. Zechariah shepherds for one month but had conflict with three other shepherds so their relationship was broken. Most likely, one month represents the time Jesus was on earth shepherding Israel, but the three shepherds (most likely the three types of leaders: elders, priests and scribes) hated Jesus so His relationship with Israel was broken. Zechariah asks the shepherds what he is worth to them. The shepherds say 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave. This was fulfilled when the leaders gave Judas 30 pieces of silver to kill Jesus (Matt. 27:9-10). Because of their rejection of the Messiah, God will withhold His blessings and peace, and let the Romans destroy Israel. God will also appoint a foolish shepherd for Israel since they rejected the true Shepherd. This foolish shepherd is the antichrist.
Praying the Scripture
- All who reject the glorious, gracious God of the Bible deserves punishment in hell. For it is He who gives life and good things in life. To reject Him is to commit the ugly and shameful sins of being unthankful and adulterous. Such ugly sins deserve an ugly end. When we share the gospel, we must speak of sins of self-worship and guilt against God. Only through the glorious cross can our guilt be cleansed and our sins be forgiven. The Christian message is very simple: holiness and love. We pray God that you will convict us of the seriousness of sin and not to be ashamed of the gospel but preach it with boldness, humility and love.
经文：撒迦利亚书11
主题：对弥赛亚的拒绝
以色列的毁灭（1-3）。归回以色列的余剩子民，也就是原来领受预言的人，是神所爱的（8:15）。然而，神预言祂将在未来再度拒绝以色列，因为他们会拒绝弥赛亚。牧人和狮子分别代表以色列和她的首领，而黎巴嫩和巴珊代表了以色列的土地。这个预言叙述的是以色列的毁灭。第4-17节告诉读者以色列之所以会被消灭是因为她拒绝弥赛亚。耶稣也在两处预言以色列会因拒绝祂而将遭毁灭（路23:28-31, 21:6）。罗马在公元后70年消灭了耶路撒冷，从而应验了预言。
对弥赛亚的拒绝（4-17）。神要撒迦利亚扮演牧人的角色，以便代表并预言未来的真牧人——耶稣，与祂所遭的拒绝。他拿着两根杖：“荣美”与“联索”，表示予以色列的祝福及合一。撒迦利亚牧羊了一个月，但与其余三个牧人有冲突，导致关系破裂。那一个月的时间大有可能代表耶稣在地上牧羊以色列的时光，而有三个牧人（很有可能是以色列的三类领袖：长老、祭司和文士）憎恨耶稣，所以耶稣与以色列的关系也破裂了。撒迦利亚问那三个牧人他在他们心中有什么价值。牧人们回答三十块钱，即一个奴仆的工价。当以色列的首领为要杀害耶稣而给予犹大三十块钱时（太27:9-10），预言便应验了。因着他们对弥赛亚的拒绝，神会向他们保留自己的祝福与平安，让罗马消灭以色列。由于以色列拒绝了那位真牧人，神也会为她设立一个愚昧的牧人。这个愚昧的牧人便是敌基督。
用经文祷告
- 凡是拒绝圣经中那位荣耀并满有恩典的神应当下地狱受惩罚，因为赐予生命及生命中的美好的是神。拒绝耶稣，就好比犯下忘恩负义、通奸淫荡之罪，非常丑陋，极为羞耻。如此丑陋的罪应当有丑陋的结局。当我们传福音时，我们必须告知别人崇拜自己的罪孽以及在神面前的羞愧。唯有藉着荣耀的十架，我们的罪与愧疚才能得洁净和宽恕。主啊，我们求您能定我们的罪，让我们晓得罪的严重性，并不以福音为耻，乃要大胆、谦卑并凭着爱心传福音。
