In the book of Zechariah, Zechariah said, “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto you yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that stands still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces”, and in chapter eleven and verse seventeen of Zechariah, Zechariah shared how Jehovah God said, “woe to the idol shepherd that leaves the flock” where we read,
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaves the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
The verse reads, “Woe to the idol shepherd that leaves the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye:” Zechariah began with the words, “woe to the idol shepherd” or “Alas! Ho! toward the false, worthless and good for nothing leader, ruler or pastor” “that leaves the flock” which means “who forsakes, abandons, neglects and apostatizes the multitude of small cattle, sheep or goats”! “the sword” or “the knife, tools for cutting, axe, dagger or mattock” “shall be upon his arm” which means “will exist on his, the idol shepherd's, physical arm”, “and upon his right eye” or “and on his, the idol shepherd's, physical right eye”. Zechariah exhorted this false leader over the people of Israel and the world, and He said the knife or cutting tool would exist upon his “arm and right eye”.
The verse goes on to say, “his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.” Zechariah continued with the words, “his arm shall be clean dried up” or “his, the false shepherd's, physical arm will exist as without moisture and withered”,“and his right eye” which means “and his, the false shepherd's, physical right eye” “shall be utterly darkened” or “will be completely weak, faint and dim with darkness”. Zechariah shared how the physical“arm” of the false shepherd will become withered, and his right physical eye would become dark and dim.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Zechariah not only about a warning to the false shepherd who shall be established, but also that his physical “arm” and “right eye” will be affected as well. Many believe the “antichrist” will have an “arm” that becomes withered and a “right eye” that is blinded by an assassination attempt. A warning given to this “false shepherd” who abandons the people of Israel and the world, but God has offered to us salvation through His True Shepherd Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make us aware of the difference between Jesus, the “Good Shepherd”, and the false one who shall arise in the world. (See John 10:11-14)
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Zechariah share about, “the burden of the word of the LORD for Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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