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 standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
Listen up, I'm about to put a shepherd in charge of this land who couldn't care less about his flock. He won't check on the lost sheep, won't go looking for the young ones who wander off, won't bandage up the injured, and won't even feed the ones standing right there hungry. Instead, this guy's going to devour the healthy sheep and completely destroy them.
God's warning about a leader who takes everything and gives nothing back to the people he's supposed to protect.
📚 Historical Context
Zechariah was a prophet speaking to the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon around 520 BC, during the Persian Empire's rule. In this verse, he delivers a prophecy about a worthless shepherd that God will raise up, symbolizing corrupt leaders who neglect and exploit the vulnerable rather than care for them. This served as a warning to the post-exilic community about the dangers of unfaithful rulers and the need to remain loyal to God.
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