1. Sheep marked for slaughter (1-9)

When people reject God their true shepherd and the under-shepherds whom he sends, exploiters become their shepherds. The Lord told Zechariah to demonstrate this in a parable. The sheep he pastured were marked for slaughter. He fired three false shepherds, and tried to help the sick and oppressed sheep. The sheep, however, did not like him, so they paid him and sent him away. The thirty pieces of silver thrown to the potter remind us of the rejection of the true Good Shepherd (Mt 26:15).

2. Favor and Union, broken staffs (10-17)

He had two staffs, one called Favor (or Grace) and the other, Union. Favor represented the Lord's covenant and protection. When he broke this, powerful neighbors invaded and oppressed God's people. The second staff represented the united kingdom. When the union was broken between Judah and Israel, the brothers became enemies.

Application: Lord, help us not to be foolish sheep. Help us to hear the voice of our Shepherd and obey him.
One Word: Obedient sheep and a good shepherd