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Zechariah urges the leaders of Lebanon and Bashan to lament the destruction of their forested land because the LORD will come to them with judgment.
The LORD commanded Zechariah to care for His covenant people because, like sheep destined for slaughter, they are at the mercy of dishonest merchants and shepherds. The LORD will punish the people, causing strife within the community.
Zechariah cares for the oppressed Judeans using two staffs: one is called Favor and the other Union. He then dismisses the inadequate leaders and renounces his commission to allow the people to receive the fate awaiting them. Finally, he breaks the two staffs, signifying that God will temporarily remove His favor from the people and will not unify Judah and Israel for a while.
The LORD instructs Zechariah to act as a foolish leader who cares nothing for his people to illustrate the wicked behavior of a future leader He will install. He then pronounces judgment on that leader for his evil deeds of exploiting the people he was assigned to serve.
Zechariah 11 begins with the prophet urging the inhabitants of Lebanon and Bashan to lament the devastation of their forested land because they are under divine judgment. Then, the LORD commands Zechariah to lead the returning exiles of Judah because the other leaders do not care for them. In obedience to God's command, the prophet cares for the Judeans and dismisses the incompetent leaders. However, the people turn on Zechariah, prompting him to renounce his commission, allowing them to get the fate awaiting them. Finally, the LORD asks Zechariah to act as a foolish leader to portray the behavior of a future leader of Judah. The passage's outline is as follows:
- Zechariah urges the leaders of Lebanon and Bashan (neighboring areas north and east of Israel) to lament the destruction of their forested land because the LORD will come to them in judgment (vv. 1–3).
- The LORD commands Zechariah to lead the Judeans because they are at the mercy of self-seeking leaders who do not care for them (vv. 4–6).
- Zechariah cares for the oppressed Judeans, dismisses the inadequate leaders, and then renounces his commission to let the people receive the adverse consequences of their poor choices (vv. 7–14). He asks for wages and is given thirty pieces of silver, the price of a servant, foreshadowing Israel's rejection of Jesus their Messiah.
- The LORD instructs Zechariah to act as a foolish leader to portray the behavior of a future Judean leader. He pronounces judgment on that leader for his self-seeking greed and evil deeds (vv. 15–17).
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