16For I am going to raise up ...

16For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.

17"Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"

- P133

Lebanon‘s cedars are destroyed. Shepherds wail and lions roar. Zechariahenacts a shepherd‘s role, tending to the flock marked for slaughter with twostaffs called Favor and Union. The people reject the shepherd so he breaks thetwo staffs. Zechariah then portrays a foolish shepherd who does not care forthe flock, because God will raise a leader who will care nothing for the people. - P131

Zechariah uses a metaphor of shepherds and sheep to describe Judah‘s sinsand God‘s wrathful response to those sins. Because the leaders of Judahmistreat and oppress the people, they face God‘s judgment for their actions.
However, the people themselves are ungrateful and even detest God. Boththe shepherds and the flock reject the God who cares for them all.  - P134

As aresult, the sheep are left with a worthless, foolish shepherd who does notcare for the sheep and deserts the flock. We see God‘s divine justice on fulldisplay as the people face the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The twostaffs of Favor and Union are also broken, symbolizing the broken promisesand relationships that result when God‘s people despise Him and allow sinand selfishness to overtake their lives. - P134

Dear Jesus, thank you for being the Good Shepherd. Help us reflect Yourcaring love as a family.  - P134

Keep us from being foolish shepherds and protect usfrom being led astray. In Your name, amen.
- P134

9Though I scatter them among ...

9Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return.

10I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be room enough for them.

11They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. Assyria’s pride will be brought down and Egypt’s scepter will pass away.

12I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely," declares the Lord.

- P124

Zechariah urges the people to ask the Lord for rain because He is the one who commands it, not the idols promoted by the false shepherds. God Himself warns that He will bring judgment upon those who lead others astray. This is a warning addressed to all who have influence in the church to lead others. Our calling is to point people back to Christ, the cornerstone of the church. At - P125

the same time, this prophecy is an encouraging word for all believers that God is attentive to how His people are being led. God has made Himself available to us through His Spirit and Word, and invites those who are willing to help others align with His will to work with Him.
- P125

Dear God, You are the only true provider and sustainer. Thank you for watching over Your people. - P125

Thank you for making me part of Your people and Your household. Draw our hearts to one another so that we may live in unity as You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P125

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.10 (영문판)

Dear Father, I pray for Your peace to fill Your people during these times of conflict and uncertainty. Help us to find hope in You and live in light of Your guaranteed victory and ours, whatever our circumstances. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P122

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.10 (영문판)

After the image of the peaceful king, the prophecy moves on to images ofbattle on the day the Lord saves His people. The ultimate battle will be wonby the Lord Himself who will advance, fire the artillery, and even play themarching music. The outcome will be the honor and the flourishing of Hispeople. They will feast and thrive and have more than enough. At this timein history, we experience wars, conflicts, and all kinds of suffering. This does not escape God‘s notice. He is already leading all of history to its comple-tion, when God Himself will go to battle on behalf of His people, to putan end to hunger and oppression and replace it with glory and abundance.
- P122

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.10 (영문판)

God promises Israel a king who will be righteous and victorious but also lowly, entering Jerusalem on a donkey. The common image of a king in Zechariah’s time was that of a mighty conqueror who leads his people to victory on a warhorse or a chariot. This prophecy’s portrayal is radically different. - P122

The promised king achieves victory not through violence, but by bringing peace. Yet He is no pushover. He wields the nations of Israel, Judah, and Ephraim like instruments of His power. - P122

We now know this promised king is Jesus, who entered Jerusalem on a donkey and secured the greatest victory by laying down His life. His power was displayed through peace, reshaping nations and empires with the good news of His kingdom. - P122

We now know this promised king is Jesus, who entered Jerusalem on a donkey and secured the greatest victory by laying down His life. His power was displayed through peace, reshaping nations and empires with the good news of His kingdom. - P122