Year 6, Day 270: Zechariah 11

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Discipleship Focus: Forgiveness

• Forgiveness: Forgiveness is when our sins are absolved by God.  We do not deserve this forgiveness, but God grants it to us anyway.  We cannot earn forgiveness, but God gives it to us anyway.  As we are forgiven by God, He also asks us to forgive others.  In fact, Jesus Himself teaches us to pray for our forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer when He says, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

In Zechariah 11 we hear about the rebellious flock.  I usually wonder about this topic when I read this chapter.  After all, the Hebrew people are just returning from exile!  How on earth could they possibly be rebellious?

Remember, they are human.  Therefore, they are still full of selfishness and sinfulness even as they return home.  They are looking for the best land.  They are looking for the choice fields and pastures.  They aren’t caring about their neighbors.  They aren’t really caring about the community around them.  They are selfish human beings.

However, it goes deeper than this.  Before the exile, the Hebrew people we engrossed with their freedom.  Their freedom led them into rebellion against God.  As they return from exile, they are focused on legalism, their own rights, and ways to legislate proper behavior.  This legalism will likewise lead to sin – we see it in the depravity of the Hebrew people at the time of Christ.

Yet, God doesn’t turn His back.  He promises the Good Shepherd.  He promises that there will be a righteous leader who will open the door to greater righteousness.  This is a continued sign of God’s forgiveness.  We show our sin day after day.  God continues to forgive and welcome us into relationship with Him.

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