Question 1

What does “open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars” mean?

Accepted Answer

The words about Lebanon opening its doors picture a strong, proud place throwing itself open to invading fire. The tall cedars stand for what seems firm and powerful, like rulers and defenses. God is saying that when he brings judgment, even what people trust most will fall. Some readers see Lebanon as pointing to the temple and city, others see it as the mountain region itself. Either way, the point is that no human strength can stand when God has decided to visit a land for its sins.

Question 2

Who are the “flock of the slaughter” that God tells the prophet to feed?

Accepted Answer

The “flock of the slaughter” means the people who are being treated like animals ready for killing. Their masters use them, sell them, and even thank God for the profit they make from hurting them. Their own shepherds do not pity them. God steps in and says he himself will shepherd this doomed flock, showing special care for the “poor of the flock,” the humble ones who still listen to him. It shows God’s heart for the oppressed, even while judgment is coming on the nation.

Question 3

What is the meaning of the two staffs called Beauty and Bands?

Accepted Answer

The prophet takes two staffs to show how God had been leading his people. Beauty points to the pleasant, gracious way God ordered and cared for the flock. Bands points to the bonds that held the people together in unity. When the staff called Beauty is broken, it pictures God withdrawing that special care and covenant protection. When Bands is broken, it pictures the breaking of brotherhood between Judah and Israel. These acts show that despising God’s shepherding leads to the loss of both favor and unity.

Question 4

Why did they weigh out thirty pieces of silver, and why is it thrown to the potter?

Accepted Answer

The prophet asks for his wages for caring for the flock, and they pay him thirty pieces of silver, which was a low price for a slave. This shows how little they valued God’s shepherding. God calls it a “goodly price” in an ironic way, exposing their contempt. He then tells the prophet to throw it to the potter in the house of the Lord, as if it were fit only for common work. This scene also points ahead to the way Jesus was valued and betrayed for the same sum, and how that money ended up connected with a potter’s field.

Question 5

Who are the “three shepherds” cut off in one month, and why is this verse hard to understand?

Accepted Answer

The verse about three shepherds cut off in one month has been read in more than one way. Some see it as certain groups of leaders, like kings, priests, and other rulers, quickly removed. Others think of a short, intense time when God clears out several unfaithful leaders. The main point is that God would not let bad shepherds go on forever. The wording is brief and does not name them, which is why faithful readers have seen this differently. What is clear is God’s weariness with leaders who reject him and harm his flock.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s character toward leaders and the poor of the flock?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God takes spiritual leadership very seriously. He sees when leaders treat people like property, enrich themselves, and even use God’s name to bless their own greed. God says he will no longer cover such sin, and will hand people over to the bitter fruits of their choices. At the same time, he notices the “poor of the flock” who wait on his word. Even in judgment, God cares for the humble who listen, and he makes sure they understand that what happens is truly his word.

Question 7

Who is the foolish or idol shepherd, and what happens to him?

Accepted Answer

Near the end, God tells the prophet to take the tools of a foolish shepherd and says he will raise up such a shepherd in the land. This shepherd does not visit the weak, seek the young, heal the broken, or feed the healthy. Instead he feeds himself on the flock. He pictures selfish, uncaring leaders who only use people. God pronounces woe on this idol shepherd and says the sword will strike his arm and right eye, meaning his strength and sight will be taken. God will judge leaders who abandon the flock.

Question 8

Why does God say he will “no more pity the inhabitants of the land”?

Accepted Answer

God’s words about no longer pitying the people come after a long history of care that they have despised. Their leaders kill and sell the flock and feel no guilt, and the people reject the true shepherd who comes to feed them. So God announces that he will give them over to one another and to their king, and they will harm each other. This does not mean God has become uncaring, but that there is a point where he lets people taste the results of their stubborn sin, so they may finally see their need for him.

Question 9

How does this passage point ahead to Jesus as the true shepherd?

Accepted Answer

The prophet acts out the role of a shepherd sent by God to care for a doomed flock, only to be rejected and paid a contemptible wage of thirty pieces of silver. That money is thrown to the potter in God’s house. This strongly echoes what later happens to Jesus, who calls himself the good shepherd, is rejected by many of his own people, and is betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. The passage helps us see that God knew this rejection would happen and that even in it he was working out his plan to save those who trust in his Son.

Zechariah 11:1

Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.

The Doomed Flock

Thirty Pieces of Silver

The Doomed Flock

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Zechariah 11:1

Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.

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The Doomed Flock

Thirty Pieces of Silver

The Doomed Flock

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