May 18, 2011

Minor Prophets XCVI: Strike the Shepherd and The Sheep Will Scatter

In Zechariah 13:1-6 we see a discussion about a particular type of prophet.

There is mention of the fact that idols and idolatry will be banished from the land. With this removal we will also see the false prophecies. The implication is that the false prophets will be gone too along with their supernatural evil origins of their bastardized prophecies. Instead of a Spirit of grace there will be a death penalty exacted on false prophets by their nearest of kin to remove them “from the land”. This pervasiveness of this judgment will scare the daylights out of false prophets and make them disavow all associations with their former “trade” or evil shenanigans. To avoid detection they will not wear the prescribed garments of a prophet. They will claim to be lifelong farmers. They will lie about the self-inflicted wounds from self-mutilation and self-flogging of idol worship. The provision of the True Shepherd (Christ) in contrast to these charlatans will be pronounced and the polar opposite.

Zechariah 13:7b we see a quote that we will see again in the New Testament.

The second portion of this verse (v.7b), “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.” Is found in two places in the New Testament. Both are obviously in the Gospels. Both are accredited to Jesus.

Matthew 26:31- [ Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ] Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Mark 14:27- [ Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ] “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.

In Jesus’ crucifixion Christ was beaten (struck) and His own disciples abandoned Him. As noted by the brackets included in both of these Gospel references, this statement is given in relation to Peter’s denial…he lied and he fled…or should I say scattered?

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