Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined! Zechariah 11:1-3
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 11:1-3, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text 10:1-11:17 (10:1-12, 11:1-3, 11:4-14, 11:15-17). The commentary shares how this text offers prophecy of what will occur to Jerusalem when Jesus arrives, as He is rejected by the Jewish elders and leaders. The commentary shares: "There is strong reason to think that this is prophecy of what happened in AD 70, as the Roman army, under the leadership of General Titus, came into Jerusalem and completely leveled that city. Titus’s armies even tore down the temple, until one stone was not left standing on top of the other." The problem described by the commentary is that when Jesus arrives and His ministry unfolds, He is rejected for who He is - the cornerstone or promised Messiah. The Jewish elders and leaders sought an earthly leader and we all know that all earthly leaders are fallen and sinful - only Jesus is the perfect spotless lamb who can shepherd and save us. We should not place faith in earthly leaders to do what only Jesus can do. The text describes wailing over the destruction of Jerusalem and today there is much wailing over what exists in our broken sinful world - yet this will always be the case until Jesus returns for His second coming and as described in Revelation 21 when there will be a new Heaven and new earth.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Father God, only You save and You are saving a place for me and all believers where we will be united with all our loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ who believe - what a glorious place this will be! Thank You Jesus for my salvation. Of course I am undeserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
