*Scripture: Zechariah 11:4-17 (NKJV)* 4 Thus says the LORD my God, "Feed the flock for slaughter, 5 whose owners slaughter them and feel no guilt; those who sell them say, 'Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich'; and their shepherds do not pity them. 6 For I will no longer pity the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD. "But indeed I will give everyone into his neighbor's hand and into the hand of his king. They shall attack the land, and I will not deliver them from their hand."
7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock. 8 I dismissed the three shepherds in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9 Then I said, "I will not feed you. Let what is dying die, and what is perishing perish. Let those that are left eat each other's flesh." 10 And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was broken on that day. Thus the poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the LORD. 12 Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter. 14 Then I cut in two my other staff, Bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 15 And the LORD said to me, "Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. 16 For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. 17 Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, and his right eye shall be totally blinded." *Devotion* How is it that undershepherds can expect worldly wealth, peace, and security, even at the expense of the flock's well-being, when even Christ Himself was "sold out" and afflicted because of God's truth? In spite of all that Judas Iscariot had seen and heard from the Lord, he still sought after a sense of financial gain in exchange for Christ. History has shown many times those who "give up" the Word of God so they might gain money or some other idea of wealth. There is no prestige or sense of security or accomplishment that can be adequate compensation for compromising the truth of Christ: as Jesus asks, "what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?" Our Lord was broken and killed so that we might be truly rich and blessed. Our Shepherd gave up His life so that He could save ours from Satan who would devour us. And those whom He calls to feed His sheep are to keep them safe in His Word of redemption. Our help is not in gold or silver, insurance plans, or institutions, or health and comfort. Our help is in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! The blessings of His truth and peace, which only come from the whole and pure Word and teaching of Christ, are worth infinitely more than thirty pieces of silver or any other price tag that man might try to put on it. The Lord is our Shepherd, and we shall not want for any good thing. His goodness and mercy come abundantly through His Word in Christ, and by our crucified and risen Lord we are made to dwell in His house forever.
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