Amen. Thank you for tuning in to SIN. I'm Darrell Bailey. Service for Christ. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. And ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. Amen. Here tonight as we get into our Wednesday in the Word Bible study out of the book of Zechariah. The book of Zechariah as we started back in the book of Zechariah. It's easy to find you can basically it's the 39th book between Haggai and Malachi if you can find the book of Matthew. In the New Testament, go to the left, once you pass Malachi, you're right in between Haggai and Malachi will be the book of Zechariah. There's 14 chapters, I'm in the 11th chapter in our Bible study tonight. I'll be talking about God's warning for modern leaders and followers. Here as we talk about that broken down shepherd, the many leaders that have been a leader that was someone that was selfish, that when they begin to lead, they lead in a way that only they benefited and not the people. Here tonight, November the 27th, 2024, the 26th of Chesvan, 5785 of the Hebrew calendar, here in Zechariah chapter 11, verses one through 17. Here the book of Zechariah mean God remembers. And so, as we look at the Hebrew writing of Zechariah, here tonight we'll be talking about God's warning for modern leaders, how that there'll be judgment broken leadership and of that broken down shepherd. We'll be talking about the prophecy of how they rejected the Messiah. There'll be three different ones that will be of that. But in the last three verses of chapter 11, verse 15, 16, and 17, is the prophecy concerning the Antichrist that will come to take care of the nation of Israel because of their rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. And so, the bands will be broken that of the beauty and the bands upon the staff of the Word of God, that the staff will be broken, the mercy and the grace of God will be withdrawn in the prophecy of Zechariah chapter 11, amen. And so, here we see a faint path of hope for the future, but also we see how that God will begin through the tribulation in the future begin to humble the nation of Israel because in these latter days everything that can happen to Israel the enemies will begin circling around like a vulture over the carcass of the nation of Israel and it will begin to get worse as the years go by until the rapture of the church and then as it brings on the tribulation that later on, the deception of the Antichrist that will come and begin to tell the lies to the nation of Israel, all in the prophecy of the Word of God, years, even the following of the nation of Israel, of the Romans in 70 AD, where these three sects of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Herodians begin to pay that price for their deception. And so, before we do anything else, let's have a word of prayer and let's ask the Lord, amen. As we look at the book of Zechariah tonight, God remembers. Let's open up with a time of prayer and let's ask the Lord to do what no one else can do for those that are in need tonight. Let's pray together. Father, we come before you both with hearts that are heavy and that are hopeful. We lift up the Pruitt family, God, the Jackson family, and the Eric Wesson, Lord, that was died in the bucket truck that collided, and the other one that's in the hospital, Father. Lord, I pray, God, for those right now, those families walking through the valley of grief. where death, the angel, has come. Comfort every one of them, Father, as only you can. And Lord, I pray that you'll be the refuge that they need, the strength and the very present help in this time of sorrow, Heavenly Father. And so surround them with your presence that surpasses all understanding. And remind them of your promise, Lord, that you said weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And Lord, we also begin to lift up our church family at Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church, Lord. I pray God, Lord, that you'll bless our Pastor Keith and Amy Dempsey, Rusty and Lynn Lanier, and all of our deacons, Father, as you bind us together in unity and love. May we approach this Thanksgiving season, Father, that count the blessings that you bestowed upon America and all of our families across the nation of your goodness and of your mercy, that, Lord, you follow us all the days of our lives. Father, may this Thanksgiving be a time, Lord, where we as a church today, a family, that we shine your light to one another. And, Lord, that the world that they would see this light and that the gratitude and the praise, Lord, for you are our creator. You are our redeemer. You give us the strength, oh Lord, to the weary, hope to the discouraged, and healing to the brokenhearted. Oh, Heavenly Father, fill our presence, Lord. Lord, I pray our hearts with joy. Give us, Lord Father, this Thanksgiving, Lord, a time, Lord, like no other, that we'll remember where everything come from. Lord, that you're the giver of life. And you're the sustainer of all things. And Lord, if there's a last person. that don't know Jesus and that don't have peace. I pray tonight, may they listen with an intent, Lord, to know that they can come to Jesus right where they are tonight. If they had asked him to come into their heart and life and to save them and be the keeper of their soul, Lord, bring them under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit tonight. And Lord, we just thank you, Lord, those that father today that are dealing with death. Lord, we reflect the love and the grace and Jesus is marvelous, mighty name that we pray. Amen. All right, I'm glad tonight, again, as we get ready to go, God's warning for the modern leaders, amen. And so I'm glad here tonight, let's give a little bit of worship time to our Lord and Savior for this holiday. And you pray as we just try to give a little bit of time of worship to our Lord. If you know the song, sing along with us, amen. Your love endured the cross, despising all the shame. That afternoon when midnight fell, your suffering cleared my name. And that sin-swept hill became the open door to paradise. The cost was great. Yet you paid the price You paid much too high a price for me In tears and blood and pain To have my soul just stirred at times Yet never truly changed You deserve a fiery love that won't ignore your sacrifice because you paid much too high a price. Your grace inspires my heart to rise above the sin of all the earthly vanity. that seeks to draw me in than to tell a jaded world of love that truly saved a life, a love that paid. much too high a price. You paid much too high a price for me in tears and blood and pain to have my soul just stirred at times yet never truly changed. You deserve a fiery love that won't ignore your sacrifice because you pay much too high a price. Amen. Let's go with one more, praise God. Boy, let's worship God tonight. You pray. This house that I live in I know will decay These old walls will grow weaker with time But I don't need to worry While I'm here on earth For my real home is up there on high My real home is up there on high, where no teardrops can dim my eyes. It will be springtime forever as a million years go by. Yes, my real home is up there on high. I belong to a king who calls me his own. His great will can't be measured, I find. He has built a great mansion, not made with earthly hands. That's my real home, up in heaven so high. My real home is up there on high. where no teardrops can dim my eyes. It will be springtime forever as a million years go by. Yes, my real home is up there on high. Yes, my real home is up there on high. Amen. Praise God. here tonight as we get on into the wonderful word of God. Zechariah chapter 11 is a very powerful prophetic chapter that addresses the themes of God's judgment and the consequences of rejecting him. Every one of us one of these days are gonna give an account of all that we do and say in this body. But I'm glad that when we look at the word and the text tonight, We look at lessons of self-reflection and guidance on how to live better when we read the book of Zechariah chapter 11. And so we see God's warning for modern leaders of today and their followers because we see that we know today and in times history and past of broken leadership and what it cost us everyone. During the time of David and Solomon, Israel was the most powerful nation on earth with wealth and resources beyond measure. But after Solomon's death, the nation divided into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. And Israel, the northern kingdom, began to deteriorate, so God sent the Assyrians to conquer them and to scatter them. Judah had a series of godless kings, so God sent the Babylonians to take care of Judah and make them captives. Seventy years later, A small band of Jews returned to their land to rebuild their temple. Life was very difficult, and the nation had done none of its former glory that it ever had in the past. They were even a miracle for them to come back from such a devastation. But over the years, they persisted. and they restored the temple and the city. Then their Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to them and they rejected him and they asked their Roman rulers to have him crucified. And about 40 years later in AD 70, the Roman armies came and they destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and scattered the Jews to the nations of the world. And so we see of that broken down shepherd, the foretelling of Israel's fall in Zechariah chapter 11 verses 1, 2, and 3. And so, when we look and we realize one of the very first things that we're going to see that'll be coming up, amen, that then their Messiah, Jesus Christ, because they didn't receive their own Messiah, they had been scattered people ever since. And it explains the nation's rejection of the true messiah and how that they're going to accept a false messiah in the coming future which will be the antichrist and that antichrist will appear at the end of the age and deceive the whole world. And the key image in the chapter is that of the shepherd and the three different shepherds that are represented. And so, when we look at God's warning for the modern leaders of today, here in Zechariah chapter 11, God's message comes through a series of prophetic warnings to the leaders and the people of Israel. And so it reflects God's disappointment with the unfaithful shepherds, those in positions of leadership who failed to protect, who failed to care for and lead with integrity. And as we go through each verse tonight, Let us consider the significance of these warnings in today's world, in today's society, where leadership and where accountability are one of the most essential things as ever, because we have come through an election and we voted a leader in. And so we look and we realize that here in chapter 11 of Zechariah, from the prophecy from the past, the present, and the future. We imagine stepping into a world where time bends, the past echoes into the present, and the future is shrouded in a mystery yet to unfold in these coming days. And so, here is the world that Zechariah invites us into, a prophetic landscape layered with symbols, visions, puzzles that stretch across centuries of time. and like a master of time that loops and brings everything together, Zechariah weaves all of these moments of Israel's past with revelations of the future, leaving us to piece together God's intricate plan of redemption when we look at each of these. Now, we know that the Messiah was rejected by his people. And so, when we look at this, we begin to realize that, as I was looking at this, I remember a story about a tale of a dedicated sheepdog, who for years he faithfully protected the flock. But one dark night, wolves attacked. And in the struggle, that sheepdog was injured. And without anyone noticing, he began losing his sense of direction and strength, drifting further and further from the flock, this old sheepdog. Days began to pass by, and the once vigilant guardian sheepdog wondered, no longer able to fulfill his duty. The powerful image of that lost protection strikes at the very heart of Zechariah chapter 11 tonight, where God, through the prophet, describes His sorrow and judgment upon the shepherds and the people of Israel who had lost their way. When we encounter the reality of shepherds who failed in their duty to protect and lead, these verses reveal the consequences of forsaking the care God entrusts to His leaders and His people. Today we reflect on that responsibility of being faithful shepherds, you and I. aware that Christ is the Good Shepherd who calls each and every one of us to serve faithfully, amen. And so, we look. Paul Harvey began to share a story about a man who deliberately trained his son to break the law. And so, Harvey described a father who would take his young son with him on illegal fishing trips, teaching him how to evade the authorities and work around the rules. And years later, this son was caught in a major scandal, leading to the family's demise. Harvey's point was very clear when he began to tell this story, Paul Harvey, that the influence of a leader, even within a family, shapes those who follow. And you know what? When you got bad leadership in the world or in the nation, the people will follow that bad leadership. And so, as we look, even tonight we'll be talking about the foolish shepherd who leads his people astray at the very end, which is the Antichrist, after the church's rapture and going on. And so, in today's world, many leaders, whether they're political, whether they're social, or whether they're spiritual, they set dangerous examples that erode the trust and the integrity of the American people. And it reminds us of the responsibility to recognize poor leadership and to choose to follow Christ as example instead. Listen, are we discerning about who influences our lives? And as leaders, are we being examples of God's truth? And so, here we look and we see a shocking transition that takes place. There's a change in the tone of chapter 11. and the predictions of chapter 11 that leave every one of us speechless because it's hard to read this passage without being wide open in disbelief to think that something like this could happen. In the previous chapter 10, a while back, God's people had been given the greatest promise imaginable, prosperity, safety, and victory over all their enemies. Sounds like America. But the rest of the story goes to describe how God's people would disgracefully reject their own savior. And you know what? That's almost unthinkable. Because after all the wonderful promises, after all the strong warnings, how could a nation, how could a people reject such a gift? Hey America, how could we do that? We're left wondering why today. Because as I look at us in America, This is a very clear message of these prophecies. How could Israel reject Jesus Christ, her true shepherd? Let me change that a little bit. How could America reject Jesus Christ, her true shepherd? And although the reasons are not made clear in the passage, you know what? You can get the best leader you think. And I believe that as America voted, as we got that leader, but you know what? There is a lot of other things that can transpire. and the whole nation could suffer terribly for a very long time, just like the nation of Israel. And so the judgment here in chapter 11 comes at the hands of the Romans, who would conquer Israel and scatter her people. And so it's sad to realize this, but I'm telling you, between the Roman conquest and the end times, as we know from history, and from real world events that the Jews had suffered horribly in one Holocaust after another. And from the time of Christ to this present day, the history of the Jews has been marked by tragedy, grief, a grief almost beyond human comprehension. The shocking fact that God's beloved people are still scattered today and they're still at the mercy of their enemies. What about the rest of the world? All the Gentiles, all the non-Jews who have been exposed to the good news of Jesus Christ? If we have truly accepted, if we truly believed in and are committed our lives to the Savior, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, we will inherit all the rich blessings and the promises of God. But if not, will suffer the tragic consequences as the Jews who disbelieved. And so far for apart from salvation in Christ, we forfeit all hope of receiving the promises and blessings God has offered. But thank God that we got grafted into the family of God. We didn't replace Israel. Israel is still the one that is loved by God. But instead of living under God's protection, we're gonna have a helplessness in the face of many false shepherds that will lead astray with a false hope because that's exactly how things are today. And like Israel, we will be helpless in weathering the storms of this life. And worse yet, we will be denied interest into God's eternal kingdom if you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal savior. And so the idea of the broken down shepherds such leaders that have their own interest over the well-being of those that are supposed to lead. Examples in modern history, King Herod the Great, He was known as an oppressive ruler over Judea, and he prioritized his own power, wealth, and eliminated the threats to his throne. And so Pope Alexander VI, from 1492 to 1503 of the Catholic Church, one of the most corrupt popes in Catholic Church history, Alexander VI, used his position for personal gain, immorality, political manipulation, severely damaging the church's credibility. Adolf Hitler, another one, a dictator whose leadership caused immense suffering and devastation that lied and brought on World War II through his lies of manipulation with Poland that he said Poland strike the first blow when they never did. He lied about it all and brought all the countries of the world into a second world war all because he wanted to do that. And he brought famine, death to millions. Boy, I thank God for those wonderful men and women of God that are out there. We've got Robert Mugambi, the president of Zimbabwe. Mugambi started a revolutionary as a hero, became a dictator that mismanaged the economy, suppressed the opposition. leading widespread poverty and despair among his people. Kim Jong-un, from 1984, president of North Korea, that perpetuates oppressive policies that prioritize his regime's survival over well-being of his own people in that nation. And so, of all the religious figures and scandals over the history of time, but that have broken down shepherds, as I call them. Leaders that manipulate their followers for personal gain, wealth, and political advantage, amen. Those who fail to care for the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual well-being of the people that they lead. And so, religious leaders that twist God's word for selfish purposes, leading people astray or causing harm. These are what we're looking at tonight in Zechariah chapter 11, as it warns of leaders like these, emphasizing the need for godly, humble, and compassionate leadership in the world, while pointing out the broken down shepherds. That's important. And so I'm glad, I thank God for those wonderful men and women of God that are out there. I thank God for the leaders like Moses that faithfully led Israel out of Egypt, interceding for them before God and sacrificing his own comfort for their sake. His leadership showed humility and reliance on God. King David Even though imperfect, David was described as a man after God's own heart, and he sought God's guidance in his leadership and repented when he sinned, showing a willingness to correct his path. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem while inspiring his people to trust in God, and he avoided personal gain, praise God. And so he focused on God's mission, displaying integrity, diligence, and I'm glad the Apostle Paul, another one, that he dedicated his life to spreading the gospel at great personal cost. That he modeled the servant leadership, urging believers to follow Christ and not himself. And so We can go through life. There's some Mother Teresas that are out there. There's some Billy Grahams that are out there. There's some Dietrich Bonhoeffers that are out there, praise God. I'm glad that as leaders that we seek God's guidance. We have prayer regularly. We study the Bible, accountability, that we remain grounded in God's will, amen. We practice servanthood, amen. We foster integrity, praise God. And I'm glad that we invest in others. We invest in our younger kids today. We invest in our families. We invest in our children. that are the church of today, praise God. We pray for our leaders, amen. Whether they're leaders that are godly or not, our responsibility is still to pray for them, to lift up the spiritual, the political, the community leaders in prayer, asking God to guide them according to the powerful scripture of 1 Timothy 2, verses 1 and 2. And so, every one of us, as we do these things, to engage and encourage godly leadership, amen, and teach that in all that we do today, praise God. And so I thank God. Here we look tonight at the word of God and it says, Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. And so we look and he tells us here that Lebanon's cedars that symbolize the pride and the strength, but God warns them that even the strong will be brought low when judgment comes. the howling of the shepherds that reflects the cries of the unfaithful leaders of that time, amen. And we see that pride in human power today all over that can lead to the downfall, whether political, whether they're corporate, for even religious leadership, when leaders focus on personal glory and God's judgment can humble them. And so we see that in the verses 1, 2, and 3 that he tells us about. And so here, when we look and realize of what God is wanting to do in all of our lives, amen, and see that one of the greatest blessings that God can give to every one of us, amen, today when we look at the word of God. Open your doors, old Lebanon, and it speaks of the coming destruction of Israel by the Romans, said man, that he's talking about. The way that the word Lebanon is being used here is not to refer to the country itself. which borders Israel on the north but instead it refers to the houses that are in Jerusalem which were largely built of the cedar from Lebanon according to Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 17 that he tells us and so These symbolize the destruction and the lamentation with these as well that he talks about. Amen. And here as we go with the Hebrew word, Hazan, of the vision that is going to portray of a warning of judgment that we will see of Lebanon. Lebanon as it's referring to again the furniture the houses that the the nation of Israel have built their living quarters all of their houses I Opened our doors old Lebanon that the fire may devour thy cedars He's telling us and so when we look he goes on he says how for trees for The cedar is fallen because the money are spoiled. How? He goes again. He tells them, O ye oaks of Bashan, for the forest of the vintage is come down. And so, as we see this happening that he's talking about, amen, there's that warning of judgment. that he's talking about, that he tells each and every one of us, amen, tonight. And so the trees of this verse symbolize the cities that's destroyed by the Romans as they marched through Israel unto Jerusalem. And when we look at how these cities were strong, they were still unable to stand. And so there was nothing that was going to stop the fall of Jerusalem when the Romans come through. For the forest of the vintage is come down, Jerusalem fortifying itself, but to no avail, because the Holy Spirit and notice Zechariah is speaking of these warnings as he's talking to us in a prophetic sense that through the Holy Spirit of God speaking through Zechariah that he makes this warning of judgment a declaration that what it happens a man of each of these areas that he's talking about. And so, here, as the voice, and he goes over the howling shepherds, he says, there's the voice of the howling of the shepherds, for their glory is spoiled. A voice of the roaring of young lions, for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. And so, when we look and realize that the foretelling of Israel's fall, a prophetic vision of devastation symbolizing Israel's coming judgment under the Roman conquest state, man. And so, as we see, the reason for Israel's downfall, because it's coming up in verse 4, they rejected the Messiah. they rejected the Messiah. And so, the foretelling of Israel's fall, of this vision that we see, praise God. And so, as we look at that, we go forward, as we portray the siege of Jerusalem back in A.D. 70, of the revolt that began to come in. And Titus, and the legion that came in upon them that begin to give the destruction upon each and every one of those during that time a Devastation like no one had ever saw a man. And so as he's talking about the pride of Jordan that was spoiled, amen, before that. He says, the voice of the howling of the shepherds for their glory is spoiled. A voice of the roaring of the young lions for the pride that Jordan is spoiled. And so, I'm glad that he goes all the way back to the pride of Jordan that proclaims Joshua crossing the Jordan about 1,500 years earlier and is taken of the land of Israel. with Jerusalem under David ultimately being made its capital. But the pride that comes in of the conquest that Jerusalem is being spoiled. And here the time for payment and judgment has finally come. And so, when we look at God's warning for the modern leaders and the followers, the foretelling of Israel's fall in verses one, two, and three. Secondly, we see the reason for Israel's downfall. they reject the Messiah. Verse 4 down to verse 14, of that rejection, that here that he talks about that the law by god feed the flock of the slaughter that he's going to be talking about is was forced to turn away from the promised savior that sets the stage for their spiritual and their national collapse a man that's going to take place god would abundantly bless israel and zechariah's generation would enjoy many of the blessings but the lord would strengthen them to rebuild their city and temple but he will also give them his presence and protection day by day but later on That was way back with the Northern and the Southern Kingdom. But all of a sudden, something, Israel would reject her Messiah, her Savior, and have him put to death under Roman rule. And because of this, Jerusalem and the Temple would be demolished. In fact, the entire land would be laid to waste and the people of Israel would be scattered far and wide. The entire land would be ruined because the people would reject God's Messiah. And so, how sad that it is that today the land would literally be devastated, its forests and pastures and thickets burned. The devastation that represented the destruction of Israel, not only her land, but also her cities and many of her people, that it began to take place. Now, back in verse 2, Zechariah used three symbols to picture the destruction. Lebanon's great cedars, that he talked about. Because as we look and realize that Alexander the Great of Greece, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Syrians, and the Medes, and the Persians all used this gateway to the south to come right in because Lebanon lies north of Israel with this mountain sitting right next to the great valley. This valley extends from the coast of Lebanon all the way down to the northern of Africa. And because of its easy terrain, It was a passageway to use for centuries by many of the world's conquerors that they would come right down through. North of Israel, of Lebanon, Alexander the Great of Greece, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Syrians, the Medes, the Persians, all used this same gateway to the south. Rome would use it when they came in to do the destruction, amen. The Romans would come from the north and destroy much in their path. and among the destruction would be the mighty cedars of Lebanon. Cedars from Lebanon that supplied all the lumber used in Solomon's temple, Amen. The impressive trees that symbolize everything that was rebuilt in the temple. And so it was the loss of Israel's strength. So the Lebanon, the great cedars, was one of the things of destruction. The second thing was Bashan's quick forest. Bashan's quick forest as well. Because Bashan was a region in northern Israel famous for its forest of oaks of Bashan. And the thick forest had been felled and dropped. Bashan was a region in northern Israel famous for its lush forest of live oaks. and it was used for the seeds of works of weaponry and fires for the soldiers and everything. And so Lebanon's great cedars, Bashan's thick forest, and We see also that it talks about that Jordan, Israel's rich pastured lands. There the voice of the howling for the glory is spoiled. The voice of the roaring of the young lions for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. Those pastured lands that were out in there, that was spoiled, amen. And so when we look and realize that for their glory, the sound of a roar of lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined." Those beautiful, rich pastures of lands that were out there, the destruction that was a scene of carnage. And just as abundant as the harvest that had symbolized Israel's prosperity back in chapter eight of Zechariah, now the destruction of these pasture land would symbolize their doom. a generation of devastation that would overcome the nation. Israel would reject her Messiah, her Savior, and have him put to death under Roman rule. And because of this, Jerusalem and the Temple would be demolished. And in fact, the entire land would be laid waste and the people of Israel would be scattered far and wide. And so, when we look at all of this and realize of this devastation that was taking place as we move on, we see again that what we talked about, that because of rejecting the Messiah, Here in verse four, thus saith the Lord, my God, feed the flock of the slaughter. And so, as he's talking about this, and as he's telling each and every one of us about this, this is the role of a shepherd. God is instructing Zachariah to feed or to care for those who are vulnerable, the flock of slaughter. And it is a verse that reminds us what true leadership involves compassion and service, especially in today's society, where we neglect and we have exploitation of the vulnerable. That can be a common thing that happens with the sweatshops and the low-paid people of the world that God calls leaders to actively serve and protect. Amen. And so, whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty, and they that sell them say, Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich, and their own shepherds pity them not." Hear the corruption of leaders. Even in today's society, that when we see this happening, as all the things in the world that are going through today, as the foretelling of Israel's fall, and of rejecting the Messiah of all the things that we see that are happening out there today. C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia, the last battle, the people of Narnia, they failed to recognize the true Asalon. Fallen an imposter instead. And in their rejection of the true line, Narnia falls into chaos and ruin. That's exactly what happened in the nation of Israel. Those who didn't seek the real Assalon found themselves deceived and led astray by falsehoods. And so, today, people are tempted to follow all of the false shepherds that are out there today. Not necessarily all of them on television are that way. But today there's so many folks that reject the true salvation of Jesus Christ, the true shepherd. Israel's destruction came because they rejected the Savior sent to them. And many are tempted to follow all of those false attractive philosophies of the world today that don't align with God's truth. And we need to be vigilant and grounded in the word to avoid that deception and hold fast to our faith. Are we rejecting Christ as guidance for something that's more comfortable, something that's more popular out there today? And so the Lord instructed Zachariah to act out the role of a good shepherd as a picture of Christ. He says, I want you to act out the role and show people what a good leader looks like. Amen. And I'm glad That he said, thus saith the Lord my God, feed the flock of the slaughtered, that he said, amen, of the destruction. And he goes on and he portrays the corruption of those leaders, amen, that he speaks against the leaders who harm and exploit people for personal gain today. And as a result, Those kind of people frequently led the people astray from the Lord. They were the major cause of the nation's judgment. Amen. And so rather than speaking the truth of the Word of God, which could have caused them disfavor among the people, they prophesied only what people wanted to hear. The God Their God was their belly. That is, they were concerned with growing rich than when preaching the truth. And Zechariah declared that they sold the people, implying that they were more greedy for personal gain, for the welfare of those entrusted to their care. They fed themselves well while allowing their people to starve for a lack of truth. and so whose possessors slay them and hold themselves not guilty. In other words, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Herodians, they didn't even see themselves as doing any wrong whatsoever. They were the controlling factor of leadership during that time. And so, It's sad that that good shepherd at Zachariah is here to look out for the flock of the slaughtered, the nation of people who would be judged, that were marked for death by destruction by the coming Roman Empire. And Zachariah was to be a shepherd to the people. because the Lord would no longer pity them. Rather, he would execute judgment against them, of these corrupt leaders that he was talking about. And so, God speaks against the leaders that harm and exploit their people for personal gain. Amen. The withdrawing of God. And so, we see as we go forward. For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord, but, lo, I will deliver the men, every one, into his neighbor's hand, and into the hand of his king, and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. And so When we look and realize that what he's telling us, amen, he says, slay them. They'll be killed spiritually by unbelief and by the traditions of men is what he's talking about. And they will, they who sell them, blessed be the Lord, he means that they cloak their entire ungodly religion under falseness. It means that they rejected and crucified Christ in the name of the Lord. And so how sad that it is today that he says that pertains to Israel being turned over to slaughter because of their rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the only son, their Messiah, the men, everyone into his neighbor's hand, refers to the Romans who ruled Israel during the time of Christ, amen. And he said, and I will deliver the men, everyone in to his neighbor's hand. The Romans were the ones that came and did that destruction. And they shall smite the land. And so Titus and the Roman 10th legion laid siege to Jerusalem, totally destroying it in AD 70. And so, as we look at this, and I will feed the flock of the slaughter," Zacharias prophesied. Even you, O poor of the flock, and I took unto me two staves, and the one I called Beauty, and the other called Bains, and I fed the flock." Boy, I thank God that when we look at this, we begin to realize what God is wanting to do through these things, amen? Because every one of us, as we look and realize that he's talking about, as he's telling us about the foolish shepherds as well, but also he's talking to us about some of the other things, amen? And that is, he's talking about how that the staff of the nations, of how they are there, will be the shepherd's responsibility. But also, he says, I'm going to take, and he says, I took unto me two staffs, two staffs, and I took unto me two staffs. The one I called beauty, and the other I called bands. and I fed the flock, amen. And so when we look at the meaning of what he's talking about, when we see this, amen, we look and how he's telling us, without God's compassion, their fate would be sealed. Apart from the Lord's protection and deliverance, the people would be at the mercy of the invading Roman armies, amen. And so he would turn them over to a foreign king, amen. Zechariah obeyed the Lord. He took on the role of a good shepherd, a true and a faithful shepherd, amen. And so, he's symbolizing God's grace or favor towards the people, but when God removes his favor, it signifies the end of protection. And so, when we see that God, the ultimate shepherd, speaks of caring for the poor, the vulnerable, but the two staffs, the beauty, And the bands represent grace and unity, grace and unity, showing that God desires not only provision, but also harmony among his people. And so this verse highlights that true care that involves both practical help and unity. Because in a divided world today, leaders are called to bridge the gaps and to restore peace. We haven't saw that for a long time. All we saw is leadership that brought disunity, disunity, disunity against race, against color, against everything, against political parties. The Prophet said that he especially tended the weaker, oppressed the sheep. And it shows God's tender love for the poor and the oppressed. Christ would pay special attention to the outcast and the poor, and he would heal those that were sick, blind, and lame, and died. And Zechariah employed the same tools and instruments that all the shepherds used to tend the flocks of the sheep. tools that were symbolic. And so Zechariah, as a shepherd, used the symbol of the staff that he would. That he took those two staffs and he gave them names, amen. And I'm glad that through that, he began to talk about how that one of the beauty had favor, it had grace. It was God's grace for favor towards the people. And when God would remove that staff, It signified the end of that protection and that blessing as a shepherd, amen. And so, God, the ultimate shepherd, speaks of Karen in doing it. The two staffs, one beauty, which was favor and grace, and the other, that was bands, amen. One was grace, which was beauty. The bands was unity. And so, showing that God desires not only provision, but harmony among his people. And so, the one named duty The favor, the grace, symbolizes God's blessings and protection and tender love. The other, the unity, which was called bands, is a better translation because it was the unity and the core that held everything together because national peace and union of the nation, Judah and Israel as a unified kingdom, praise God, and these things became clear later when judgment was being pronounced. And Zechariah employed those same tools of instruments that shepherds used to tend their flocks, the tools that were symbolic, amen. And so he went on and he began to talk about, as he said, of the two, notice of beauty and of unity, amen, as those two that were coming together, amen, are the favor of grace that he taught. But on further, verse 8, he says, three shepherds also I cut off in one month, and my soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me. And so, when we look at the wonderful Word of God, and begin to realize that what God was doing, these three shepherds, they're unnamed. But they refer to what I said earlier, the Pharisee, the Sadducee, and the Herodians. Cause it talked about being cut off. And it means to be destroyed. Because they were all a part of the fall of Jerusalem when the Romans come in. And so, we go on. Then it said, I will not feed you. that that die let it die and that that notice how he's he's emphasizes that again is to be cut off that it be cut off and let the rest eat everyone the flesh of another and so Zechariah, as he disowned the evil shepherds, symbolizing by the number three, amen, that he was talking about. He said, three shepherds also I cut off in one month, and my soul loathe them, and their soul also abhorred me. He expressed his rejection of the unfaithful leaders. God will remove them. Today, corrupt leaders are often removed from power and shows us the integrity, especially for a lasting influence. But God's tolerance for corruption is limited and it intervenes when justice requires it. And so in verse eight, he's talking about the consequences of that neglect. He's saying, we've got to remove these corrupt shepherds. And so here that he talked about in verse eight, that he expresses the rejection of those unfaithful leaders, amen. And so, but it also the three types of shepherds over God's people would be the prophets, the priests, and the kings, including governors and all civil authorities. When we look at it today, And so we may look at all of these classes of leaders that could be corrupt across the country. But Zechariah used those same tools as a shepherd, the two staffs that he gave them names. He disowned all the evil shepherds symbolized by the number three. And Zechariah was hated by the false shepherds, the leaders, and the flock, the people. And so they begin to remove all of them. Picture Zechariah. He's performing the role of a good shepherd, and the people are despising him for it, especially the leaders. And the prophet said that he grew weary and impatient with all of the false shepherds, and he detested them. What a picture because it's the illustration of good hating evil and evil hating good. It's the cowboy in the white hat and the cowboy in the black hat. And so Christ, when he ministered on earth, he grew tired of the hardness of the hearts that he encountered. especially those of the Pharisees, the religious rulers, and Jesus even called them a brood of vipers and whitewashed tombs, is what he said. And so, in Zechariah's description, it portrays that clear picture of a future rejection of Christ. Both the people and their leaders would, for the most part, snub Christ. And so, as we move on, that he talks about, and he tells us in verse 10, And I took my staff, even beauty, He says, I took my grace back. I took my protection back. I've taken it back and no longer as a shepherd will there be a staff that will be portrayed as the symbol of a shepherd that would protect the sheep and the flock of the nation of Israel. I took my staff, even beauty, and cut it asunder that I might break my covenant which I had made with all of the people. And he says, I've taken that back. And so, when we look and realize that what he's talking about here and what he's doing, amen, he said, I've taken my favor, I've taken my grace back. God removes his favor, signifying the end of protection and blessing, amen. And so he goes on. And it was broken in that day. And so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord. The consequences of neglect in verses 9 through 11. All of a sudden, you're going to pay for the price of that. Because when God withdraws his provision, allowing natural consequences for the people's choices. His breaking of the staff of beauty, symbolizing the end of his covenant with the unfaithful nation of Israel. And the reminder that turning away from God leads to consequences. Do you hear me? In modern terms, when communities and when individuals abandon their faithfulness, they may find themselves dealing with a spiritual and a relational brokenness. Oh, you ain't been back to church since COVID. What have you been doing with yourself? What's your excuse? Huh? You've been busy. I see. You see, God leads to consequences when things, when we turn away from him. He would no longer shepherd the people. He would leave them to their doom. And I'll tell you, it was not his own doing nor his own choice, but it said the people were at fault. We don't have nobody else to blame but ourselves. And so they refused to be led and they would suffer and die for it. And this pictured crisis forsaken his hardhearted people, those that had rejected and despised him. He would abandon them. to their own wickedness, and also to the tyranny and the slaughter of the Romans. And so Christ's own people used the Roman government to have him crucified. So too would Christ use the Romans to judge his people. We cannot claim with certainty, I'm gonna tell you something, every one of us, when we look, he would let them destroy and devour one another, and the people would not only be destroyed by outside forces, the Romans, but also by internal conflict. You know what? I'm glad that we've got peace in our souls, and we know that our name's been recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, praise God. And so, when we go forward, and I said unto them, if you think good, give me my price, and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price 30 pieces of silver. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? That's because it is very familiar, because we see the Lord speaking, even though that he used the prophets The Lord is speaking to the person of the good shepherd, and he asks his hire of the flock, because the flock represents men. And he's saying, you know what? Just because of what they've done, it's amazing that the Pharisees, who claimed to be such sticklers for the law, would read these words, and especially after the act that they had been performed, still would not be able to relate to themselves. They said, oh, we've done nothing. They did not even look at it because every bit of this is the fulfilling of prophecy with Judas with the 30 pieces of silver. That even the years and years before this would ever happen is being prophesied in the book of Zechariah. Wow, what a powerful prophecy as we come further and closer to the end of the prophecies that would be. And he says, and the Lord said unto me, cast it under the potter. of goodly price." In other words, the potter's field, where those that were less fortunate and poor, that their bodies would be buried, cast it under the potter of goodly price. And I was praised of them. And I took the 30 pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. That's exactly what Judas did. He did that. He did that very thing. Sorry about that. Hitting all kinds of things. I'm good at that. But I'm glad that when we look and we realize Some of the things that the Lord does and today, as we see, I'm reminded of the story of the Lord of the Rings, the kingdom of Condor once had a strong defense with watchtowers and vigilant guards, but over time, these protections were neglected. And as a result, when the enemies attacked, they breached, they weakened the defenses easily. You know, the neglect of the watchmen and the walls put the kingdom at risk. I'm saying something because people that watch television today, something that you can relate to is what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to relate to you. In Zechariah chapter 11, even back at verse 10, speaks of God breaking the staff called the favor or the grace, symbolizing the removal of His protective hand over Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah. And we often take God's protection in America for granted. When we push God out of our personal and our national lives, we may unknowingly break down our own defenses. And God's grace is a gift. Let me say that again. God's grace is a gift, not a given. Are we prioritizing God's presence in our lives? Or are we walking away from his protection? I'm out of time. And so let me move on very quickly. And he goes on. Here, and he says, then I cut asunder my other staff, even bands, the unity that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. And all of a sudden, it's been cut in two. Boy, and it will not be brought back until the humbling of the tribulation that will come about. the broken bond of unity. Then, lastly, we see that broken-down shepherd as well. Not only the foretelling of Israel's fall in verses 1, 2, and 3, the reason for Israel's downfall, rejecting the Messiah in verses 4 through 14, but in verses 15, 16, and 17. The result of rejection, judgment, and deception by a false leader, the Antichrist. Here is the prophecy of verses 15, 16, and 17 of the coming Antichrist and the time of the tribulation, that he begins to tell us the consequences of this that will take place, amen. And so each and every one of us, as we look at the neglect that is taking place and transpiring, amen, here as the price of betrayal that has been foretold, and when we look and realize that the breaking of the staff not only of beauty the favor and grace and Zechariah was paid 30 pieces of silver for his work or performance as a shepherd which relates to what happened to the betrayal of Judas and the nation of Israel that rejected the Messiah But also, Zechariah broke the staff called bands, which was the unity and the cords between Judah and Israel, praise God. Because of all of this, the broken bond of unity that began to take place. Here we see that the Lord said to me, take once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd, that he says. take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd, amen. And so, as he does this, as he breaks the bands, the staff that signifies the end of unity between Judah and Israel, resulting from their unfaithfulness, amen, today families and organizations and communities, there's division that follows all of the issues with integrity and unity. And when unity breaks down, So does the support and the trust. And so God instructs Zechariah to take on the role of a foolish shepherd, represent a leader who would lead Israel astray. That foolish shepherd, that's symbolic, that's interpreted as an unfaithful leader. Prophetically, the Antichrist is what he's talking about, that they neglect the staff. that falls to provide the proper care and guidance for the people. Unlike a good shepherd who uses his staff to protect and to guide, the foolish shepherd neglects his responsibilities and the staff is no longer for protection, but it represents abandonment and neglect. The lack of compassion that is out there today that the shepherd does not care for the lost. That's the world that we see today. The shepherd does not care for the young. The shepherd does not care for the wounded. The shepherd does not care for those that are healthy today. Mentioning that he does not seek out the lost sheep and bind up the injury. He says, for though I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still, but he shall eat the flesh of the fat. and tear their claws in pieces. And so, today, when we look and realize that he does not seek out the lost sheep no longer, they don't bind up the injured, they don't feed the healthy no more, they don't show that none of the qualities of a faithful shepherd is what he's talking about right here. And so, he says, their tools are broken. They neglect the staff. They lack compassion. They are self-serving in their leadership instead of tending to the flock. The foolish shepherd exploits the flock. He eats the flesh of the fat. He symbolizes the leader who seeks personal gain at the expense of those who are supposed to care for the flock. And then, he uses the broken tools. The foolish shepherd is cursed and his arm and his right eye are struck, representing a loss of strength and vision. His tools become ineffective, symbolizing a leader without the ability to protect, guide and see the needs of the people. In summary, the equipment of a foolish shepherd is that of neglect, self-interest, and a failure to act as a true shepherd should, leading to judgment and harm for both the shepherd and the flock. The Broken Staff, picturing the loss of all hope for Israel's peace and unity. The Brotherhood of Judah and Israel. Israel and Judah had long been at odds with each other, but the exile, the return to Jerusalem, had brought the two nations together for a time. The unity would be brief, but the Broken Staff, named Ban, signified that the nation and her people would again be divided and dispersed. And so, Jesus himself said that the people would know him if they knew the Father and if they obeyed his voice. Sadly, most did not. Tragically, the nation would be judged and it would be divided, conquered, and dispersed again. Think of all the promises God had given his people. He had promised Israel his covenant blessing, but that covenant now was revoked along with it, the blessings of God. And so, the application today, each and every one of us, For the leader, Zechariah 11 warns against self-serving, neglectful leadership. Modern leaders must act justly, seek wisdom from God, care for their people with compassion. And for followers, it reminds all of us to discern godly leadership. Look, you won't be able to tell if they're good or if they're bad. Reject exploitation and remain faithful to God, even in the challenging times. And for all of us, not only for leaders, not only for followers, but for all, This chapter underscores the urgency of repentance and the necessity of valuing Christ as our Good Shepherd, who alone offers true salvation and guidance for every one of us. We're out of time. And I hope and pray that tonight, as we go our separate ways, I hope and pray that you're able to be able to discern what it is that we need as we close out tonight. Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for the truth revealed in Zechariah 11, a sobering reminder of the consequences when leaders and followers stray from your will. We acknowledge the warnings that you've given through this passage about the broken-down shepherds, those who neglect their responsibilities, and filled elite with integrity, love, and faithfulness. And we recognize the responsibility of followers to seek you, discern your truth. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen. God bless you. Thank you for tuning us in.