Beware of False Shepherds
The people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.
ZECHARIAH 10:2
+
Beware of False Shepherds
[The people] are driven away and scattered like a flock into various kinds of superstitions and schisms. Moreover, they perish and famish like abandoned sheep which have no shepherd and which no one tends with the divine pure Word. And therefore Isaiah 53:6 says: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, etc." Christ also alludes to this verse in Matthew 9: 36ff…. God accordingly is properly vexed when [false shepherds] not only scatter the flock into their schisms but also keep them from desiring the spring rain. Therefore follows: "My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats" (Zechariah 10:3). He calls these men "shepherds" because they have the office of shepherds, though in fact they are teachers of idolatry and are dreamers. Such were the Pharisees, and such are all false prophets; and such are also the he-goats, which butt their way among the sheep by force and rule them. . .. [Christ] will redeem His flock from the he-goats and will Himself be their shepherd and visit them with mercy.
From Lectures on Zechariah (German text) (Luther's Works 20:301-2)
ZECHARIAH 10:2
+
Beware of False Shepherds
[The people] are driven away and scattered like a flock into various kinds of superstitions and schisms. Moreover, they perish and famish like abandoned sheep which have no shepherd and which no one tends with the divine pure Word. And therefore Isaiah 53:6 says: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, etc." Christ also alludes to this verse in Matthew 9: 36ff…. God accordingly is properly vexed when [false shepherds] not only scatter the flock into their schisms but also keep them from desiring the spring rain. Therefore follows: "My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats" (Zechariah 10:3). He calls these men "shepherds" because they have the office of shepherds, though in fact they are teachers of idolatry and are dreamers. Such were the Pharisees, and such are all false prophets; and such are also the he-goats, which butt their way among the sheep by force and rule them. . .. [Christ] will redeem His flock from the he-goats and will Himself be their shepherd and visit them with mercy.
From Lectures on Zechariah (German text) (Luther's Works 20:301-2)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever