What does breaking the staff "Favor" symbolize in Zechariah 11:10? Setting the Scene in Zechariah 11 • Zechariah acts out a prophetic drama as a shepherd over a flock “doomed to slaughter.” • He carries two staffs—“Favor” (sometimes “Beauty”) and “Union” (or “Bonds”). • Zechariah 11:10: “Then I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations.” What the Staff “Favor” Represents • God’s gracious protection and blessing over His people. • A visible emblem of the covenant that restrained surrounding nations from destroying Israel. • The shepherd’s staff itself symbolizes authority, guidance, and safety (cf. Psalm 23:4; Micah 7:14). Why God Breaks the Staff • Persistent rebellion and rejection of the Good Shepherd (vv. 8–9). • Israel’s leaders value Him at “thirty pieces of silver” (v. 12; cf. Matthew 26:14–15), showing contempt for God’s Shepherd. • Breaking “Favor” signals that the Lord is withdrawing the grace that shielded Israel: – Protection lifted (Deuteronomy 28:52; Jeremiah 21:10). – Covenant blessing revoked, leaving the nation exposed to Gentile powers. Historical Fulfillment • Near term: continued oppression under Persia, Greece, and especially Rome. • Climactic expression: A.D. 70, when Roman armies leveled Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24). God’s favor was visibly removed, just as Zechariah pictured. • The later breaking of the second staff, “Union” (v. 14), followed the first, underscoring national fracture after divine favor was lost. Key Takeaways • God’s favor is a tangible, covenant reality—withdrawn when His people harden their hearts (Hebrews 3:7-11). • Rejection of the Shepherd leads inevitably to judgment; embracing Him brings life and restoration (John 10:11, 27-28). • The prophecy verifies God’s sovereignty over history and His faithfulness to His word—He keeps covenant blessings and covenant warnings alike. |
    |