Corona Devo 3246
Sometimes we learn what TO do by learning what not to do.
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The prophets in the Bible tell of things to come (and the prophet Zechariah is no different)...but what do Zechariah's words mean for us as we live in the world today?
The visions that God gives Zechariah define what will be one day. But what else is within Zechariah's words...for us today?
If we read the Bible and look beyond literal meanings (which will come to pass), we can also interpret and receive what else God is saying--as is the case with the verses in Zechariah 11. It is not so much what Zechariah is saying...as it is the opposite of what He is saying.
God gives Zechariah the idea, the timing, even the shepherd...but nothing about that shepherd is what God prefers.
And so, sometimes we learn what to do by learning what not to do.
Zechariah Chapter 11 highlights a poor (negative) shepherd of the people, and (using reverse-psychology), God asks Zechariah to "act him out" in front of His people.
We get God's description of what not to do in our faith-walk, as the Lord tells Zechariah to portray a reflection/an opposite/an antagonist...of what we should be doing and how we should be living for Him.
And so how does God view or assign a shepherd that is full of worth? (A worth-filled leader?) What is the character-type of the worthy carrier of God's Word to his people? ...We can tell what God is looking for by the way, that He describes what He is NOT looking for.
Then the Lord said to me, “Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd. (16) This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves. ~Zechariah 11:15-16
If the worthless shepherd will not care for those who are dying (Zechariah 11:15), then we must.
If the worthless shepherd does not see the promise and potential and spiritual mantle that the young will carry for us...then we must.
If the worthless shepherd will not heal the injured, then perhaps we can.
Nothing is off-limits to our Lord, but if a physical healing is not currently occurring for the injured, God and His Word can comfort, teach, and heal.
God and His Word can repair/renew/cure the injured in spirit. Faith in God can heal the injury (definitions of "heal" may vary, but the Lord redeems us in His time!) Our good shepherd can give us the strength to persevere-the-pain of the (physical/emotional/spiritual) injury, and He can provide the power to recover.
A worthless shepherd isn't feeding the healthy, or looking after (and encouraging!) the needs of the healthy, but the healthy need the Lord too.
A shepherd of God tells the Good News to the people: injured and healthy.
I am amazed that God throws this (healthy) character-trait in here--but God sees and knows all...and He supports/encourages/and equips all: those who are lacking, and those who are lapping it up. (Even the healthy.)
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God knows that we hurt and lack and wander sometimes. He sees us.
But He also sees his children when we are pounding the pavement for him, and serving Him too.
He feeds the healthy with His Word...and his Spirit. When we are active in God's will, He sustains us. He fills us. He refuels us.
~~~
Are we healthy today? Then, let's give God glory for it, and be fed by Him today, Brothers and Sisters in Christ. (In Word, and deed.)
Let's feast on God's word: written for us and to sustain and strengthen us...to do His work.
He feeds the healthy, so that we can minister to the weak and the strong in His name, and for His glory.
If we are dying, young, or injured today, our shepherd is here for us.
If we are healthy in the Spirit today: our shepherd feeds us!
A worthless shepherd will take from God's people, but this is never the case with a worth-filled shepherd, and the Lord says that there will be consequences for those that masquerade as a shepherd but behave like a wolf.
“What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! The sword will cut his arm and pierce his right eye. His arm will become useless, and his right eye completely blind.” ~Zechariah 11:17
~~~
Sometimes we learn what TO do by learning what not to do.
Then the Lord said to me, “Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd. (16) This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.
(17) “What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! The sword will cut his arm and pierce his right eye. His arm will become useless, and his right eye completely blind.” ~Zechariah 11:15-17
Sometimes we learn what TO do by learning what not to do.
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. (5) The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. ~Isaiah 50:4-6
sarah
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