The Coming King and the Rejected Shepherd: God’s Redemption and Judgment Unfolded
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 8
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 280 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
Zechariah 9–11 paints a powerful prophetic picture of God’s sovereignty, compassion, and justice as He unfolds His redemptive plan for Israel. These chapters move from the triumphant promise of a humble King who brings salvation, to God’s restoration of His people, and finally to the tragic rejection of His shepherd—symbolizing Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. Through poetic and symbolic imagery, God declares judgment on Israel’s enemies and promises to protect His people, but He also exposes the consequences of turning away from His leadership. The tension between divine mercy and human rebellion runs throughout, revealing both the heart of a God who saves and the sorrow of a Shepherd who is spurned. Together, these chapters foreshadow Christ’s first coming in humility and His ultimate reign in victory.
Zechariah 9
Zechariah 9 opens with a declaration of judgment upon Israel’s neighboring nations—Hadrach, Damascus, Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia—signifying that no power can stand against God’s will. Yet, amid these pronouncements, a glorious prophecy emerges: the coming of Israel’s King, humble and riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), a direct foreshadowing of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This King will bring peace to the nations, extending His rule “from sea to sea,” symbolizing universal dominion and divine justice. God promises to deliver His people, describing them as jewels in His crown, reflecting His glory and love for His chosen nation. The chapter contrasts the downfall of the proud with the elevation of the humble, revealing that true victory comes through God’s righteous and merciful reign.
Zechariah 10
In Zechariah 10, God calls His people to seek Him for blessing rather than relying on false shepherds and idols that lead them astray. The Lord promises to strengthen and restore Judah and Israel, likening Himself to a Shepherd who gathers His scattered flock. He declares that He will empower His people to stand strong and victorious, trampling their enemies underfoot. The chapter portrays God’s compassion and covenant faithfulness as He vows to bring His people back from exile and increase their numbers. Through this prophecy, God reminds His people that renewal and power come not from worldly alliances but from their relationship with Him—the true source of strength and restoration.
Zechariah 11
Zechariah 11 takes a somber turn, symbolizing the rejection of God’s leadership and the resulting judgment on Israel. The prophet is instructed to act as a shepherd over a flock “doomed to slaughter,” representing Israel’s spiritual decline and rebellion. Zechariah uses two staffs named “Favor” and “Union” to symbolize God’s covenant grace and the unity of His people, both of which are eventually broken due to their unfaithfulness. The thirty pieces of silver, the shepherd’s wage, foreshadow Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, revealing Israel’s rejection of the true Shepherd. The chapter concludes with God raising up a foolish shepherd—representing corrupt leaders who care nothing for the flock—underscoring the dire consequences of turning away from God’s chosen Shepherd and Redeemer.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Zechariah (Hebrew: Zekharyah) means “The LORD remembers.” This name captures the central message of the book: that God remembers His covenant promises and is faithful to restore His people. Zechariah’s prophecies were given during the post-exilic period, around 520–518 B.C., to encourage the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian captivity. While Haggai focused on urging the people to rebuild the temple, Zechariah’s message went deeper — calling them to spiritual renewal and reminding them that God’s plans extended far beyond the temple walls.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of the book is to encourage the returned exiles to rebuild the temple, renew their faith, and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Through a series of night visions, prophetic messages, and symbolic acts, Zechariah revealed God’s plan to cleanse His people, restore their relationship with Him, and establish His kingdom through His chosen servant — the “Branch,” a title pointing to Jesus Christ (Zechariah 3:8; 6:12). The book is both immediate (addressing the rebuilding of Jerusalem) and prophetic (pointing to the coming reign of the Messiah and God’s final redemption).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The author of the book is identified as Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo (Zechariah 1:1). The Bible itself confirms his prophetic role in several places. In Ezra 5:1–2 and Ezra 6:14, Zechariah is mentioned alongside Haggai as one of the prophets who motivated Zerubbabel and Joshua to continue rebuilding the temple. Historical Jewish writings, including the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) and Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews (Book 11, Chapter 4), also affirm Zechariah’s ministry during the reign of King Darius of Persia. Furthermore, the New Testament recognizes Zechariah’s words as inspired prophecy — Jesus quotes from Zechariah multiple times (see Matthew 21:5; Matthew 26:31; John 12:15), validating his authorship and divine message.
Key People:
Zechariah, the prophet through whom God spoke words of comfort and restoration.
Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and descendant of King David, who led the rebuilding of the temple.
Joshua (Jeshua) son of Jehozadak, the high priest, who represented spiritual leadership and purification.
The Angel of the Lord, who serves as God’s messenger and intercessor throughout Zechariah’s visions.
The Branch, a prophetic title for the coming Messiah, symbolizing the ultimate restoration and redemption through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the book declares that God’s ultimate plan is not just to restore a physical temple, but to establish His everlasting kingdom through His Messiah. Zechariah points forward to the triumph of God’s purposes — a future where the Lord will reign as King over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9). The book moves from repentance to renewal, from rebuilding to revelation, showing that God never forgets His promises. It reminds believers that God is faithful to remember, restore, and redeem His people — and that His Spirit, not human strength, accomplishes His divine will.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Zechariah 9
In Zechariah 9, God is revealed as a righteous and victorious King who rules with justice and humility. He is both a defender and deliverer, showing His sovereignty over nations and His compassion toward His people. His character reflects balance—He brings judgment upon the proud but peace and restoration to those who trust in Him. Through the prophecy of the coming King riding on a donkey, we see that God’s power is not displayed through force, but through meekness and mercy. The lesson God teaches is that true strength is found in surrender to His will, and peace comes when we recognize Christ as our humble yet mighty King.
In this chapter, God is revealed as Yahweh Tsevaot (The Lord of Hosts), emphasizing His command over heavenly and earthly armies. This name underscores His authority in executing justice and protecting His people from their enemies. God teaches that His reign extends over all creation and that no earthly power can stand against His divine plan. The lesson is clear—God’s people are called to place their trust in His sovereignty, for He alone brings deliverance and lasting peace.
Zechariah 10
In Zechariah 10, God is portrayed as a faithful Shepherd who restores, strengthens, and empowers His people. He shows compassion by promising to gather the scattered and bring them back home, demonstrating His covenant love and care. Unlike false shepherds who lead people astray, God guides His flock with purpose and tenderness. The lesson God teaches is that true restoration and victory come when we seek Him wholeheartedly rather than relying on human leaders or worldly solutions.
This chapter highlights Yahweh Elohim (The Lord God), expressing His divine power and covenant relationship with His people. As Yahweh Roi (The Lord My Shepherd), His nature as a guide and protector is evident. These names reveal a God who not only governs with authority but also cares deeply for His people on a personal level. The lesson here is to trust the Shepherd’s voice and depend on His strength—He alone can restore what is broken and lead His people into victory.
Zechariah 11
In Zechariah 11, God’s character is seen through His sorrowful justice as He reveals the consequences of His people’s rejection. He is a just and righteous God who will not tolerate rebellion, yet His compassion is evident in the way He continues to warn and guide. The imagery of the broken staffs—“Favor” and “Union”—shows His deep grief when His people forsake Him. The lesson God teaches is that rejecting His leadership leads to destruction, but embracing His guidance brings unity, favor, and protection.
There are no specific Hebrew names of God directly mentioned in this chapter, but His role as the Good Shepherd (a foreshadowing of Christ) is evident. Through this, we understand God’s personal investment in His people—He is not distant but deeply involved, caring for their souls. The lesson we learn is to recognize the Shepherd’s voice, value His grace, and never take His covenant relationship for granted. God’s heart breaks for His people’s disobedience, yet His love continues to call them back to repentance and restoration.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Zechariah 9 reveal God’s balance between justice and mercy in His dealings with Israel and the nations?
In what ways does God demonstrate humility and power through the prophecy of the coming King riding on a donkey?
What do these chapters teach us about God as a Shepherd and how He relates personally to His people?
How do God’s actions in Zechariah 10 show His faithfulness in restoring those who have been scattered or lost?
What does God’s grief in Zechariah 11 reveal about His heart toward His people’s rebellion and rejection?
How does the title “Lord of Hosts” (Yahweh Tsevaot) highlight God’s authority over both spiritual and earthly realms?
What do these chapters collectively teach us about the nature of God’s leadership compared to that of human leaders?
Questions About Themes:
What does the prophecy of the humble King in Zechariah 9 teach about the nature of Christ’s Kingdom?
How does God’s judgment on Israel’s enemies contrast with His promise of restoration for His people?
In Zechariah 10, what is the significance of God calling His people to seek Him instead of false idols or leaders?
What message does the breaking of the two staffs (“Favor” and “Union”) in Zechariah 11 communicate about covenant and unity?
How do the images of the good and foolish shepherds reflect the difference between divine care and worldly corruption?
What theme of redemption and rejection can be traced throughout Zechariah 9–11, and how does it foreshadow Jesus Christ?
How does God’s restoration plan for Israel illustrate His unchanging promises and commitment to His covenant people?
Reflective Application Questions:
How can you learn to trust God’s sovereignty when facing opposition or uncertainty, as Israel was called to in Zechariah 9?
In what ways can you reflect Christ’s humility and peace in your daily interactions, following the example of the King who rides on a donkey?
How does Zechariah 10 challenge you to seek strength and provision directly from God instead of relying on human wisdom or systems?
What “false shepherds” or influences might be distracting you from fully following the voice of the Good Shepherd?
How can you respond to God’s correction with repentance rather than resistance, learning from Israel’s rejection in Zechariah 11?
What steps can you take to restore unity and “rebuild the staff of Union” in your relationships or community?
How do these chapters inspire you to remain faithful to God’s covenant love even when the world around you turns away from Him?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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