Favor and Union

Favor and Union

Scripture:

So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock. Zechariah 11:7

And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord. Zechariah 11:13

Then the Lord said to me, “Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. Zechariah 11:15

Observation:

In Zechariah 11, the Lord directs Zechariah to act out a scene where he finds employment as a shepherd over a flock marked for slaughter. Zechariah’s role-play is symbolic of the state of Israel which has brought about the judgment of God whereby God no longer acts as a good shepherd over them.

In the first Scripture, we see how Zechariah takes two staffs. The first is named Favor or Grace and the other in called Union, Both staffs are broken, to show God removing His favor and peace from Israel. In the Psalms, it is written “how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity”. For us, when we enjoy favor and grace and peace with our family, we should realize it is a great blessing from God and not take it for granted. If we persist in sin like Israel, there may be a time when God removes His presence from us and that is where we will lose favor and peace.

In the second Scripture, Zechariah is asked to throw his wages of 30 pieces of silver to the potter. The price of 30 pieces of silver was not cheap, but it was the price of a slave, the lowest he could be paid. This shows how Israel did not value God. This Scripture also had incredible prophetic significance as later Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. After the Lord was condemned, Judas, in remorse, threw the money in the temple and went off to hang himself. This money, seen as blood money, could not be put in the temple treasury and was instead used to purchase the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. We should never fail to appreciate how truly precious and valuable our Lord is.

In the third Scripture, the Lord asks Zechariah to role-play again as a foolish shepherd. He is a shepherd that does not care for his flock but even feasts on the meat of the choice sheep. One of God’s judgments is to place above people wicked leaders. Some commentators have likened this foolish shepherd to the Anti-Christ which is to come. Good leaders are so important. We need to pray often to God to bless our church, our company, our state and nation with good leaders.

Application: Thank God for the favor and grace and peace that He bestows upon us. Pray that God will continue to grant us unity in our family, in our church, in our work, in our ministry for with unity, comes peace and harmony. Declare our adoration for our great God, who is more precious than silver, more valuable than gold. Pray to God to give us good leaders and bless our leaders with righteousness and wisdom.

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father for Your great favor and grace and peace that You bestow upon us. Grant us unity O Lord, in our family, our church, our work, our ministries. Praise You, O Lord, for Your greatness and faithfulness. You are more precious O Lord than silver, more valuable than gold. Nothing on earth can compare to You, O Lord. Blessed be Your Holy name. Grant us good leaders, we pray, in our nation, our church, our workplace, our home. Bless them with righteousness and wisdom, that we too will be blessed under them. Praise be Your name forever O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.