Worthless Shepherds

“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.” Zechariah 11:17

A rash of leaders falling away or rejecting Christianity? I'll bet this message from the Lord through Zechariah will come up in sermons across the land.

This is not about the false prophets, for those have their own curses and judgment to face. No, this is about the one who becomes of no value, worthless, dried up sticks to feed the fire, and a shriveled fig tree with the ax poised to cut off its roots. This is to those who want to serve in a position of trust and then quit. Who desire to just walk away from their flock and leave 'em to the wolves of the world.

That leader may want to check with the Lord first.

Does this verse mean that ministers are 'stuck' in that one church in the little town in that rural state for their lives? No, there may come a time when the Lord would move some ministers around and would make sure that a new shepherd comes to the flock. And retirement is certainly possible too. But it is for the one who feels the temptation to quit on the Lord and His flock, and gives in to it!

Prayer is needed in this, from the shepherd and the flock.

Love to you in Christ Jesus,

Bucky