Zec 11:3 | KingComments | STEP | This chapter is about the false shepherds, who were mentioned in the previous chapter ( ), as opposed to the true Shepherd of whom Zechariah is a type ( ). In Zechariah 10 it is mainly about the flock, here it is about the shepherds. This chapter describes the first coming of the Lord Jesus and how the people as a whole rejected Him. describe the judgment on the false shepherds, which is announced in . The chapter culminates in the one false shepherd, the antichrist in . The false shepherds gradually come to power after the return from Babylon and are clearly in power when the Lord Jesus is on earth. The judgment on them takes place in 70 AD. Lebanon has been constantly prey to invasions from the north ( ). But the land will experience an even more terrible invasion. However reluctant it may be to open its doors to the king of the north in the future, they will not be able to stop his march towards Israel. God is bringing him to His land because of the “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION” that was erected in the temple ( ). Cedars are a picture of dignitaries. The different types of trees mentioned ( ) represent people. They are called to express their feelings of sorrow. By “cypress” are meant the rich. The “cedars” and the “oaks of Bashan” are the strong, the rulers and men with authority ( ). “The impenetrable forest” stands for the mass of the common people. The latter will no longer groan under the yoke of ‘cypress’ and ‘oak’. Cedars of Lebanon and oaks of Bashan are symbolic descriptions for the false shepherds. The first part of drops the symbolism and speaks about the persons, the shepherds. They see themselves as the “glory” of the land. The “young lions” are the princes, the rulers who behaved cruelly. Of the “pride of the Jordan” (cf. ) nothing remains, for it is destroyed ( ). This was done by the Romans, who established themselves as a power in Israel.

‏ Zechariah 11:3

Introduction

This chapter is about the false shepherds, who were mentioned in the previous chapter (Zec 10:2-3), as opposed to the true Shepherd of whom Zechariah is a type (Zec 11:4). In Zechariah 10 it is mainly about the flock, here it is about the shepherds. This chapter describes the first coming of the Lord Jesus and how the people as a whole rejected Him.

Zec 11:1-3 describe the judgment on the false shepherds, which is announced in Zec 11:6 ; 9. The chapter culminates in the one false shepherd, the antichrist in Zec 11:17. The false shepherds gradually come to power after the return from Babylon and are clearly in power when the Lord Jesus is on earth. The judgment on them takes place in 70 AD.

Judgment on the False Shepherds

Lebanon has been constantly prey to invasions from the north (Zec 11:1). But the land will experience an even more terrible invasion. However reluctant it may be to open its doors to the king of the north in the future, they will not be able to stop his march towards Israel. God is bringing him to His land because of the “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION” that was erected in the temple (Mt 24:15-22). Cedars are a picture of dignitaries.

The different types of trees mentioned (Zec 11:2) represent people. They are called to express their feelings of sorrow. By “cypress” are meant the rich. The “cedars” and the “oaks of Bashan” are the strong, the rulers and men with authority (Isa 2:13). “The impenetrable forest” stands for the mass of the common people. The latter will no longer groan under the yoke of ‘cypress’ and ‘oak’. Cedars of Lebanon and oaks of Bashan are symbolic descriptions for the false shepherds.

The first part of Zec 11:3 drops the symbolism and speaks about the persons, the shepherds. They see themselves as the “glory” of the land. The “young lions” are the princes, the rulers who behaved cruelly. Of the “pride of the Jordan” (cf. Jer 49:19 ; Jer 50:44) nothing remains, for it is destroyed (Jer 25:34-38). This was done by the Romans, who established themselves as a power in Israel.