And the LORD said to me, “Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand: but he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye; his arm shall completely wither, and his right eye shall be totally blinded.” (vv.15-17)
Here the prophet Zechariah play-acted as a foolish shepherd, one who did not care for the sheep in the way that a shepherd should. Through his actions he warns God’s people that, if they reject the Good Shepherd another shepherd will be raised up, the worthless shepherd (v.17), one who won’t care for the flock (God’s people), the antichrist.
This foolish shepherd was allowed and appointed by God as judgment because His people forsook the true shepherd. This was fulfilled in Israel’s rejection of Jesus. They rejected the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18), but received another shepherd (John 5:43).
We often assume in our society today that all we need is the right leader. Well, here we see that even the ultimate leader may be rejected and a worthless leader chosen. The foolish shepherd embraced by Israel was partially fulfilled in their choice of Barabbas (Matthew 27:20-22), but will be ultimately fulfilled in their embrace of Antichrist, and their covenant with him (Daniel 9:27).
Out text speaks of a sword that shall be, "against his arm and against his right eye." Meaning the worthless shepherd will feel the sword of God's judgment against his strength (arm) and his intelligence (right eye), so this will be a harsh blow to his head. In the Book of Revelation we are told that the Antichrist will suffer a severe head wound yet survive (Rev.13:3, 13:12-14), confirming that the worthless shepherd will ultimately be fulfilled in the Antichrist. Then, at his healing, the whole world will be filled with wonder and follow the beast, worshiping the beast saying, "Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?
The Lamb of God! “Woe to the worthless shepherd! A sword shall be against him.” But, an even greater Wow is reserved for those who follow him, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured out full strength into the cup of His wrath." (Revelation 14:9-10).
Better to receive the "Good Shepherd," than the foolish one.
The Truth: “I am come in My Fathers name, and you received Me not; yet another shall come in his own name, and him you will receive.” (John 5:43)
