Zechariah 11 has much to teach us about leadership. God condemns bad leaders who weaken His relationship with His people. In verses 1-3, God condemns bad leaders in Israel before the rest of the chapter deals with good and bad shepherds to depict the leadership.
Verses 1-3 describe the inevitable judgment of God that will fall on bad leaders, no matter how great and mighty they think they are. They have oppressed the people without mercy to increase their power and wealth. Therefore, they will be mercilessly punished. They cannot escape God’s judgment, depicted by a raging fire sweeping through the proud forests of Lebanon, destroying the strong trees.
Even the strongest animals, like the lion, will not escape this judgment. Metaphors such as burning trees, shepherds’ cries, and young lions’ roars vividly depict the severity of God’s judgment. These metaphors could be alluding to the downfall of Israel’s leadership and the eventual fall of Jerusalem and its cities.
God unequivocally abhors bad leadership, especially when it leads His people astray and leaves them with an estranged relationship with Him. These first three verses show us the consequences of bad leadership. They highlight the severe consequences of using power for personal gain at the expense of others. Leaders must not neglect their roles but must act responsibly. Everyone in leadership must help those they lead to maintain a strong, positive relationship with God.
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