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
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the LordThe Whole Armor of GodStand FirmLove IncorruptibleGrace and PeaceHope Laid UpRedemptionThe Fullness of GodReconciledThe Hope of GloryToilGreat StruggleRooted in Christ