Over the past week or so, I have been studying the book of Zechariah. For several reasons this book is my favorite in the genre of prophecy. The historical background of the book is instrumental in understanding what the message of the book is. Israel had been in exile under the Babylonians, who in turn were conquered by the Persians. It was under the Persian king Cyrus that the Israelites were allowed to return to Jerusalem. What followed is known as the time of restoration in Hebrew history. It is during this time Zechariah prophesies. The nature of the multiple visions span from eschatological to Messianic, sometimes bordering on Sci-fi, but what I want to point out has nothing to do with visions of horsemen and flying scrolls. I want to focus on is what the Lord said to Zechariah regarding the leadership of His people.
The Lord says in Zechariah 10:3, “My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the Lord of hosts cares for His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like His majestic steed in battle.” This is reiterated in Zechariah 11:17 with a severe warning, “Woe to My worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded.” This ‘woe’ literally is an exclamation of grief, a lament expressing pain. What that means is YHWH is serious about His dealing with worthless leaders. During this time of restoration Israel was experiencing, they needed to reestablish order in every way. This meant the leadership also. Poor leadership is ultimately what led to their Babylonian exile. Poor leadership allowed YHWH to be placed on the back burner and provided an avenue for idolatry, immorality and an overall rejection of what God had called His people to. YHWH is clearly letting His people know, from this point on, poor leaders will be dealt with accordingly.
This example is seen in the New Testament as well. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John, chapter 10. Here, Jesus is saying He controls access to God not the ‘worthless shepherds,’ or the Pharisees (who claimed to control access to God). Once Christ’s church is established the bishops and elders are viewed as the shepherds of God’s people, or the leaders of the church. Hebrews gives a somber warning to those who are leaders of Christ’s Church, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your soul, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you (Heb. 13:17).” Did you catch that? The ‘woe’ from Zechariah is found in Hebrews; you will give an account for the people you lead.
My fear is there are many pastors serving great churches who are not leading effectively. There are pastors who live on the blogosphere rather than counseling. There are pastors who fill up their calendar with speaking engagements that keep them away from their church weeks at a time. There are pastors who spend more time promoting themselves than they do the Gospel of Christ. They are the worthless shepherds, the ones who received YHWH’s anger, and they will certainly give an account for the souls they failed to lead.
Shortly after Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd in John 10, He tells His disciples “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you (John 13:15).” Jesus is washing the filthy feet of His disciples as He gives them His last words of direction before He is crucified. This example left for the disciples is the example that should be followed by all pastors; be a servant leader don’t be a selfish leader. Brothers, the souls who have been entrusted to you deserve more than 3 points, a poem and a good laugh. They deserve the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its entirety, which means the tough passages! God’s people are dependent on you, because of this you are required to do right by them. If this means pulling back your speaking engagement, do it. If this means placing the publishing of your next book on hold, do it. If this means blogging once a week instead of once a day, do it. If what you are doing distracts from the Gospel being preached effectively, you will be called to give an account for that.
Brothers, lead well.
lifelibertyandthepursuitofholiness 