Zechariah 11

Zechariah 11:1

OPen thy doores] A Prophecie of the last destruction of Jerusalem and the Jews, by the Romanes, because they had rejected the Messiah: Now because Lebanon was the confine of the countrey on that side where the Romanes made their chiefe inroade or invasion; it is here brought in as opening the gates of Judea.

devoure thy cedars] This may be understood either literally, because the Romanes did almost destroy the whole forest of Lebanon, to employ the trees to the besieging of Jerusalem as Isaiah 14:8. Or figuratively, for the most powerfull and flourishing citie of Jerusalem, as Isaiah 2:17. Ezekiel 17:3.

Zechariah 11:2

Howl firre-tree] If the noblest plants have been spoiled, the inferiour ones must not look to be spared which may also be understood of the lesser cities and holds, which were about Jerusalem.

mightie] Or, gallants.

the forest of the vintage is come down] Or deenced forest Seeing that Lebanon was destroyed, which was the strongest munition, the weaker places could not think to hold out.

Zechariah 11:3

of the shepherds] Namely, of the governours of Jerusalem, who in stead of being shepherds to feed the people, were ravenous lionesses, Ezek. 19. 2, 3.

the pride of Jordan is spoiled] That is, the proud and numerous nation of the Jewes, likened to the yeerly overflowing of Jordan: whereof see Joshua 3:15. Jeremiah 12:5. & Jeremiah 49:19.

Zechariah 11:4

Thus saith the LORD my God] That is, unto his Sonne, the eternall shepherd of his Church, Hebrews 13:20. 1 Pet. 5. 4. to whom it is given of the Father to governe, and to guard his people, oppressed by powerfull and profane ones, unto the time prefixed of their totall dissipation, for their ingratitude.

Zechariah 11:5

possessours slay them] Namely, any one that hath any right over my people, either by conquest of warre, or otherwise.

and hold themselves not guilty] They do it, and are not punished for it. See Jeremiah 2. 3. & 50. 7.

they that sell them] Namely, they that make merchandize of them, as of poor slaves.

Blessed be the LORD] They do profanely boast of the power that God hath given them over his people, as of an expresse blessing. See Deuteronomy 29:19. Hosea 12:8.

Zechariah 11:6

For I will no more pity] O my Sonne doe thou exercise this charge of shepherd over this people, during the prefixed time of my patience: after which time I will utterly destroy them for their rebellion, and ingratitude.

I will deliver the men every one into his neighbours hand] Heb. make to be found every one at the hand of his neighbour and at the hand of his king. He seemeth to signifie the frequent seditions, and civill troubles of the Jews, about the time of their last desolation.

his king] Namely, the Romane Emperour, whom they shall have accepted for their King, rejecting my Sonne, John 19:15.

Zechariah 11:7

I will feed] Or, I fed.

even you, O poore] Or, verily the poore. Namely, my poore Church, and Jewish nation, no way comparable in greatnesse, and power, to other Nations, and Empires of the world: and brought very low by her calamities. See Isaiah 14:32. Zephaniah 3:12. Zechariah 13:7.

two staves] A figure of the two wayes that Christ useth at all times in feeding of his Church: The one by guiding them lovingly by his Word and Spirit: The other by severely punishing them, by the cruell hand of their enemies. See Isaiah 10:5.

Bands] Or, binders.

Zechariah 11:8

Three shepherds] Whereby he sheweth his care and diligence that he would suffer them to have no evill rulers, because they should consider his great love. Some by these three shepherds, mean three chief Empires, which had tyrannized over Gods people, Jeremiah 6:3. & Jeremiah 12:10. namely, of the Chaldeans, Persians, and Greeks, whole, and parted, which were destroyed by the Sonne of God, Daniel 2:45. Others mean by them, three sects of Jewish Doctors; Pharisees, Sadduces, and Essenes; which three Christ was to destroy.

cut off in one moneth] Namely, in a short space of time, as Hosea 5:7.

my soul] I was sorie, and vexed at my peoples disloyaltie, and ingratitude: who did likewise beginne neither to love nor respect me.

lothed them] Heb. was straitned for them.

Zechariah 11:9

I will not feed you] A representation of the rejection of the Jewes, for rejecting salvation offered them by the Messiah; as if he should say, I will not feed you, O ungratefull Jews: Meaning, the Gospel should be taken from them.

that that dieth] Jeremiah 15:2.

of another] Heb. of his fellow, or neighbour.

Zechariah 11:10

covenant which I had made] The peace that I had granted to my Church, that she should be no more assaulted, nor molested by any strange Nation: which was verified from the Maccabees time, untill a little before the coming of Christ.

Zechariah 11:11

so the poore of the flock] Or, the poore of the flock, &c. certainly knew. Namely, my elect, which remained of my people, who humbly beleeved my promises, and gave obedience to my commandements, did acknowledge the time of my visitations; and that the warres moved by the Romanes were effects of my providence, according to the ancient prophecies.

Zechariah 11:12

And I said unto them] By the figure of a shepherd who demands his wages, is shewed the Jews horrible ingratitude, who in stead of a full acknowledgement of Christ did deale with the traitor Judas, to have Christ put into their hands for thirty pieces of silver, Matthew 26:15. and Matthew 27:9.

If ye think good] Heb. If it be good in your eyes.

weighed for my price] Matthew 26:15.

Zechariah 11:13

And the LORD said unto me] God my Father did so detest their ingratitude that he would have these thirtie pieces, through Judas despaire and despight, to be thrown into the Temple, and employed to a profane use, and to be no more laid up into the holy treasury.

potter] Matth. 27. 9, 10.

price that I was prised at of them] Because that the injurie done to my Sonne redoundeth to me, who had before governed them by him. See John 5:23.

Zechariah 11:14

Then I cut asunder mine other staff] Whereby is meant, that Christ would not onely governe his people any more in mildnesse, and clemencie, nor exercise his shepherdly severity in saving corrections, and visitations, as he had done in former times: but that he would altogether reject them.

Bands] Or, binders.

that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel] Taking away from the Jews, according to the flesh, the title of being my Church, and my people: whereas before, Israel the people of God, and Judah had been the same thing in name and in effect: and I will take unto me the Israel, which is according to the spirit: namely, all true beleevers: and will reject the carnall Judah.

Zechariah 11:15

unto me] Namely, unto me Zachariah: by a figure of the peoples evill government, by their own heads, Priests, Doctors, and others, into whose power the Lord delivered them for a punishment, because they had rejected Christ.

Zechariah 11:16

a shepherd in the land] A government, which shall be uniforme in wickednesse, and depravation, though it be administred by severall persons, which God had suffered to raise themselves to that dignitie, and authoritie.

cut off] Or, hidden.

feed] Or, hear.

tear their claws in pieces] As they use to do in the slaughterhouses, for to devoure up all: Or worse then ravening beasts, who alwaies leave some foot or bone, Amos 3:12.

Zechariah 11:17

Wo the the idol shepherd] Jeremiah 23:1. Ezekiel 34:2. John 10:12.

the sword] Namely, the punishment of my judgements.

his arm] By the arme he signifieth strength, as he doth wisdome and judgement by the eye: that is, the plague of God shall take away both thy strength and judgement.