Today’s Reading: Zech 10:1–11:17, Acts 25:1–27, Job 30:16–31

Today’s Theme: Good Shepherds

Today’s theme is about the good shepherds God has given to the church. We thank God for our own pastors who guide, feed and protect us and pray for those under bad shepherds.

Zechariah 10:1–11:17

Thank God for our shepherds

For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. (Zechariah 10:2, ESV)

We need pastors, we need leadership or we will be afflicted with false teaching and practice.

Bad shepherds beware

“My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle. (Zechariah 10:3, ESV)

God loves His sheep and will deal with bad shepherds who lead them astray or neglect them. We can take comfort that those attempting to lead God’s people astray will be judged.

God’s compassionate restoration of Israel

“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them. (Zechariah 10:6, ESV)

God restores Israel and His people not out of obligation but in His compassion and simply because He is God.

God whistles

“I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. (Zechariah 10:8, ESV)

Lord whistle (call, draw) for those who are wayward or under judgement

Judas, a bad shepherd

Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD, to the potter. (Zechariah 11:12–13, ESV)

There are echoes here to what the bad shepherd Judas did to the Lord.

Bad shepherds

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs. (Zechariah 11:16, ESV)

This is the antithesis of what a good shepherd is. Pray for every church with bad shepherds to be restored.

Acts 25:1–27

Clear argument

Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” (Acts 25:8, ESV)

Paul knew his case and made it clear. We should make our points clearly.

Don’t try to impress men

So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. (Acts 25:17, ESV)

Liar, he delayed for 8 days, he was just trying to impress the man, Lord keep us from trying to impress people with lies.

Job 30:16–31

Have a firm view of God

You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you persecute me. (Job 30:21, ESV)

We must not let circumstances cause us to change the way we see God.

Job’s sickness

My skin turns black and falls from me, and my bones burn with heat. (Job 30:30, ESV)

The physical affliction must have been very difficult to handle.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 25