A Special Message

                The eleventh chapter of Zechariah....seventeen verses....is a standout chapter....similar to some of the chapters in Daniel where the narrative pauses for a special message....and here in Zechariah eleven....that special message was primarily to the leaders and Pharisees in Judah....or if you will....to the leaders and religious shepherds today in America! In other words it is to all of us....right now!
                Now....we don't really care about any of this prophecy stuff today....but then....that is part of the message from Zechariah. It begins with a prophecy of the destruction of the temple....or Jerusalem or all of Judah....it matters not. The leaders had grown rich....and spoiled....and no longer met the needs of the needy. The glory was gone....and today....the true glory is gone....as only a false glory remains....may God have mercy on what we have become!
                When verse six mentions being delivered into his neighbor's hand....it is referring to factions....or in our case....political parties....and ultimately....the king.
                 Judgment is then upon....three shepherds....but who are these three shepherds? There is plenty of speculation. We just do not know....but we do know that they were bad shepherds. Commentaries can help here....as they point to bad leaders....and bad spiritual teachers.
                 There is division....or the bonds of brotherhood broken between Israel and Judah in verse fourteen. There was no more unity of any sort....and then here it comes folks...a shepherd rises up....a worthless shepherd that doesn't care for the young or heal the broken or feed the hungry....but will only seek to prosper by them. This is the coming antichrist....and this is why this short chapter of Zechariah eleven is so very important today....to the remnant that is left.