What can we learn about leadership from Zechariah 11:16? Setting the Scene “ For behold, I will raise up in the land a shepherd who will neither care for the perishing nor seek the wandering or heal the broken. He will not sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hooves.” (Zechariah 11:16) What a Failed Shepherd Looks Like • “will neither care for the perishing” – neglects those in immediate danger • “nor seek the wandering” – ignores those drifting away • “or heal the broken” – withholds restoration from the wounded • “will not sustain the healthy” – fails to nourish even the strong • “devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hooves” – exploits the very ones he should protect, leaving them ruined Why God Highlights This Neglect • God often exposes the counterfeit to spotlight His true design (Ezekiel 34:2-4; John 10:11-13). • A shepherd-leader’s primary charge is care, pursuit, healing, nourishment, and protection—everything this “shepherd” refuses to do (Psalm 23:1-4; 1 Peter 5:2-3). Positive Leadership Principles Drawn by Contrast 1. Care for the vulnerable – Attend to “the perishing”; value every life (Proverbs 24:11-12). 2. Pursue the straying – Proactively go after the wandering (Luke 15:4-7). 3. Heal the broken – Provide grace-filled restoration (Isaiah 61:1). 4. Feed the healthy – Keep the strong growing; don’t neglect ongoing discipleship (Hebrews 5:12-14). 5. Protect, never exploit – Use authority to serve, not consume (Mark 10:42-45). Practical Takeaways for Today • Inspect motives: Do I view people as sheep to serve or resources to use? • Measure ministry by presence: Am I close enough to notice the perishing, wandering, and broken? • Balance care: Feed the strong even while rescuing the weak. • Guard against abuse: Authority that harms forfeits God’s endorsement (Jeremiah 23:1-2). • Align with the Chief Shepherd: Pattern leadership after Christ, the Good Shepherd who “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). |
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