Zechariah 11

Zechariah 11:1

OPen] A Prophecie of the last destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewes by the Romans; because they had rejected the Messias now, because Lebanon was the confine of the countrey on that side, as the Romans made their chiefe irruption; it is brought in, as opening the gates of Judea Thy cedars] This may be understood, either literally; because the Romans did almost destroy the whole forrest of Lebanon, to employ the trees for the besieging of Jerusalem: as Isaiah 14:8. Or figuratively, for the most powerfull and flourishing City of Jerusalem: as Isaiah 2. 13. Ezekiel 17:3.

Zechariah 11:2

Firre tree] If the noblest plants have been spoiled, the inferiour ones must not looke to be spared, which may also be understood of the lesser cities and holds which were about Jerusalem Forrest] namely; A faire pleasant parke: as Jerusalem was sometimes called by figure: Ezekiel 21:2.

Zechariah 11:3

Of the Shepheards] namely; Of the Governours of Jerusalem; who, in stead of being shepheards to feed the people; were become ravening Lyons whelps: Ezekiel 19:2-3 The pride]that is to say; the numerous and proud nation of the Jewes, likned to the yeerely overflowing of Jordan: whereof see Joshua 3:15. Jeremiah 49:19.

Zechariah 11:4

Thus saith] namely; To his sonne, who is the Churches everlasting Shepheard: Hebrews 13:20. 1 Peter 5:4. to whom the father hath given the government and charge of his people, oppressed by powerfull prophane nations, untill the time prefixed for their totall dispersion, by reason of their ingratitude.

Zechariah 11:5

Whose possessions] namely; Any one that hath any right over my people, either by conquest of war or otherwise, Not guilty] they doe it and are not punished for it: Jer. 2. 3. and 50. 7 That sell them] namely; Those that make merchandize of them; as of poore slaves Say] They doe prophanely boast of the power which God hath given them over his people: as of an expresse blessing: See Deuteronomy 20:19.

Zechariah 11:6

For I will] Oh my Sonne! doe thou exercise this charge of shepheard over this people; untill the prefixed time of my patiences lasting: after which time I will utterly destroy them for their rebellion and ingratitude I will deliver] He seemes to signifie the frequent seditions and civill troubles of the Jewes about the time of their last desolation Of his King] namely; The Roman Emperour, whom they should have accepted for their King; rejecting my Sonne: John 19:15.

Zechariah 11:7

O poore] namely; My poore Church and Jewish nation, no way comparable in greatnes and power, to other nations and Empires of the world; and brought very low by her calamities: see Isaiah 14:23. Zephaniah 3:12 Two staves] A figure of the two wayes which Christ useth at all times in feeding of his Church: the one by lovingly guiding them by his Word and Spirit; the other by severely punishing them by the cruell hand of their enemies: see Isaiah 10:5.

Zechariah 11:8

Three Shepheards] The three chiefe Empires that had tyrannized over my people: Jer. 6. 3. and 12. 10. namely; The Chaldean, Persian, and Grecian Empire, which were destroyed by the Sonne of God: Daniel 2:45 In one moneth] namely; In a short time: as Hosea 5:7 My soule] I was sorry, and vexed at my peoples disloyalty and ingratitude; who did likewise begin, neither to love not respect me.

Zechariah 11:9

I will not] A representation of the Jewes Reprobation.

Zechariah 11:10

My covenant] The peace which 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 comming of Christ.

Zechariah 11:11

The poore] namely; Mine Elect which remaine of my people: who humbly gave faith to my promises, and obedience to my commandements; did acknowledge the time of Gods visitations: and that the warres moved by the Romans were effects of His providence, according to the ancient prophecies.

Zechariah 11:12

And I said] By the figure of a Shepheard, who demands his wages; is shewed the Jewes horrible ingratitude: who in stead of a full acknowledgement of Christ, did deale with the Traytor Judas to have Christ put into their hands for thirty shekels: Matth. 26. 15. and 27. 9.

Zechariah 11:13

And the Lord] God my Father did so detest their ingratitude; that he would have those thirty shekels through Judas despaire and despight, to be throwne into the Temple: and employed to a prophane use, and be no more laid up in the holy treasure That I was prized at] Because, that the injury done to my Sonne, redounded to me, who had before governed them by him; see John 5:23.

Zechariah 11:14

I cut asunder] Whereby is meant; that Christ would not onely governe his people no more in mildnesse and clemencie; nor exercise his shepheardly severity in saving corrections and visitation: as hee had done in former times: but that he would altogether reprove them I might break] Taking away from the Jewes, according to the flesh, the title of being my Church and my people; whereas before they had been the same thing in name & effect. Israel, the people of God, and Judah, I will take unto me the Israel which is according to the Spirit: namely; all true Believers, and will reject the carnall Judah.

Zechariah 11:15

Unto me] namely; To me Zechariah, by a figure of the peoples evill government, by their owne Heads: Priests, Doctors, and others; into whose powers the Lord delivered them for a punishment, because they had rejected Christ.

Zechariah 11:16

A shepheard] 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 dignity and authority Teare] As they use to doe in the slaughter houses; for to devoure up all: Or worse then ravening beasts who alwayes leave some foot or bone: Amos 3:12.

Zechariah 11:17

The sword] namely; the punishment of my judgements His arme] Which signifieth the power: as by the eye is signified counsell and advice; as much as to say; I will take away from them the place of Conductor and Head, and will degrade them quite: see 1 Samuel 2:31.