[The Lord said] “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!” —Zechariah 11:17.
While we do not like to hear bad news and may not appreciate the pronouncement of judgment on others, there is a time when it is appropriate. Jesus was not only our sacrificial lamb, but he is also our Chief Shepherd serving on earth as God with us (Matthew 1:23) as the Shepherd David wrote about in Psalm 23:1-6. When the earthly shepherds of the Lord‘s sheep do not lead lovingly and faithfully, the Lord will demand harsh justice. Zechariah’s message is a strong reminder to all who lead that they must do so righteously and tenderly. God wants those whom ungodly leaders have abused to know that their Father in heaven will punish those ungodly leaders appropriately. God will bring righteous justice upon those who have abused their stewardship of God’s sheep and dishonoured their pastoral calling. We can rest assured that our Shepherd will wipe away our tears even if our earthly shepherds do not (Revelation 7:15).