Zechariah 11:15 - Meaning and Application

God has already shown the misery of this people in being justly left by the good Shepherd. Now he shows their deeper misery in being badly abused by a foolish shepherd. The prophet himself is told to act out this false shepherd, “Take the tools or gear of a foolish shepherd” (Zechariah 11:15). He is to wear the kind of coat, bag, and staff such a shepherd would carry, even though they are not fit for the job. This points to a ruler who will be set over them, not to protect them, but to harm them (Zechariah 11:16).

First, they will be under unfaithful ministers. Their scribes, priests, and teachers of the law will lay heavy burdens on them, hard to carry. By forcing their own traditions on the people, they will make the ceremonial law, the outward religious law of sacrifices and rituals, much more of a burden than God ever intended. This fits very well with the way Christ described the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:2). They will also suffer under cruel princes who rule them harshly and make their own land feel like Egypt or Babylon, both places of slavery and oppression. When they rejected the one who rightly rules and brings justice, it was fitting that they should be handed over to rulers who make unjust laws.

They will also be misled by false Christs and false prophets, as Jesus warned would happen (Matthew 24:5). Many such deceivers appeared, and their rebellious actions stirred up the Romans and hastened the ruin of the Jewish nation. Yet it is striking that they were never tricked by a fake Messiah until after they had refused the true Messiah.

Now notice what this foolish shepherd will be to the people (Zechariah 11:16). God will raise him up as part of their punishment, and he will not do the work of a shepherd. He will not visit those who are cut off, go after those who have strayed, or look for those who are missing, so as to bring them home, as the good shepherd does (Matthew 18:12-13). He will not care for the young, though they especially need care and are worthy of it, as Christ cares for his flock (Isaiah 40:11). He will not heal what is broken or wounded, but will let it die from its injuries, even when a little timely help could have saved it.

He will not feed those who are weak, tired, or ready to faint. He will leave them behind and let others take them up. In fact, he will do nothing to support the weak or encourage the discouraged. Instead, he will live for himself. He will eat the best of the meat and seek what is richest for his own table. Like the wicked servant who said, “My master is delayed,” he will eat and drink with the drunk and serve only his own appetite.

He will also be cruel to the flock. His anger will be as uncontrolled as his greed. When he is angry with some of the sheep, he will tear them apart by overworking and abusing them. He will strike even his fellow servants. What a sorrow for a land when its king is childish and foolish!

Now see what this foolish shepherd will bring on himself (Zechariah 11:17). “Woe to the worthless shepherd,” the shepherd who is like an idol, with eyes that do not see. He may receive honor from the people and take their offerings, but he can do them no good and will not do it. When the flock most needs him, he leaves them helpless and runs away, because he is a hired man. The sword of God’s justice will strike his arm and his right eye. His arm will wither, so that he cannot help others or even himself. His right eye will be blinded, so that he cannot see the danger facing his flock or know where to seek help.

This was fulfilled when Christ said to the Pharisees, “I have come so that those who see may become blind” (John 9:39). Those who have gifts that should make them useful, but do no good with them, will be taken away from them. Those who should have been workers, but were lazy and did nothing, will rightly have their arm withered. Those who should have been watchmen, but were sleepy and never kept watch, will rightly have their eye blinded.