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(Cont. from Page
883B).
884.
"TAKE YET FOR YOURSELF THE
IMPLEMENTS
OF A USELESS SHEPHERD". (Zechariah 11:15).
THE IDENTITY
OF A "VALUELESS" SHEPHERD.
What a strange command! Or is it? On
reading Zechariah 11:1-17 we learn of the attitude of "valueless
shepherds" who say: ""May Jehovah be blessed, while I shall gain
riches." And their own shepherds do not show any compassion upon them.""
(11:5). The seriousness of this offence lay in the type of "flock"
that "valueless shepherds" raise (i.e. one "meant for the
killing". 11:4), their heartlessness toward "afflicted ones of the
flock", and their purpose in "selling them"
(that they may
be "killed". 11:11). But Jehovah intervenes and identifies those
"meant for the killing": Those whose souls feel "a loathing
toward Me." (11:7). But while shepherding people toward their eventual
deaths is certainly punishable, "valueless shepherds"
are not immediately punished, for it says: "the buyers of which proceed to
kill them although they are not held guilty." (11:5). The reason
for this is that many of their "flock" accept bribes and
"devour one another". (11:9 NEB) (See Dan 11:39 and Isaiah 5:23).
Consequently, Jehovah has said: "Woe to My valueless shepherd, who is
leaving the flock!" (11:17). "So here I am causing mankind to find
themselves, each one in the hand of his companion… and they will certainly crush
to pieces the land, and I shall do no delivering out of their hand." (11:6).
Initially, God used pleasantness and unity (symbolized by two staffs) to
shepherd the "afflicted ones of the flock", but
"valueless shepherds" and their "flock meant for the killing"
"felt a loathing" toward Jehovah. (11:7,8). So God broke the staffs
of Pleasantness and Union "in order to break My covenant that I had
concluded with all the peoples… and the afflicted ones of the flock who were
watching Me got to know in this way that it was the Word of Jehovah."
(11:10,11). Effacing three of these "valueless shepherds" in
one lunar month, and losing Pleasantness (Favour) and Union (Unity) with God,
are not events that true members of the "flock" of God could fail
to know.
"VALUELESS" AND
"USELESS" SHEPHERDS.
Like Judas, "valueless
shepherds" and those of their "flock"
value the majesty of God at a mere thirty pieces of silver. (11:17,13).
Jehovah appointed Zechariah His servant to act as an example of a
"useless
shepherd", saying: "Take yet for yourself the implements of
a useless shepherd. For here I am letting a shepherd rise up in the land."
(11:15,16). This "useless shepherd" of God will
not give attention to the one being destroyed ("effaced"),
nor seek the young one, nor "heal" the
broken one, nor supply them with spiritual "food".
But the "flesh" of the "fat" ones
he will "eat" and their "hoofs"
he will "tear off". (11:16). As for
"valueless shepherds", they will lose their power of spiritual insight and the
"arm" of their authority.
(See Pages 883A, 883B and 824C).
THE "IMPLEMENTS" OF A
"USELESS SHEPHERD" ARE DENUNCIATORY.
On reading Revelation 10:8-11 you should
realize that the "implements" of a "useless shepherd"
today are bitter denunciations from God concerning "peoples and
nations and tongues and many kings", and forming part of the legal
case of God over Zion. (Micah 6:1-15. Isaiah 34:8. 13:5).
Zechariah was used as an example of a
"useless shepherd" to a disobedient "flock", the
members of which loathe God. Jehovah would certainly not allow Zechariah to tear
off the "hoofs" of obedient "sheep". He did however
allow him to consume the "flesh" of "fat" ones. His
"useless shepherd" is used in such a way as to reveal and refine
out valueless ones. The work of denouncing rebellion is not a gathering work,
but eats away at the "flesh" of "fat" ones. Although
ironically described as "useless", those proclaiming the
denunciations and vengeance of God are His spiritually obedient servants. So
there are two kinds of shepherds: "Valueless* shepherds"
who do so for self interest, and
"useless shepherds"
commissioned to ignore the plight and deaths of "valueless shepherds"
and their* disobedient
"flock". (11:15,16). Jehovah is not "forming the spirit"
of men shepherding for self-interest.
(Zech 12:1).
7/10/82.
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