Zechariah 11:6-7 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, said the LORD: but, see, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbor's hand… In the next place is represented Christ's undertaking of this charge, and His going diligently about it, signified by two shepherds' staves the first whereof, called Beauty, holds forth the sweet and beautiful order of His Covenant, and the doctrine thereof, whereby the Church is directed in faith, worship, and obedience of God. The second, called Bands, signifies that policy in Church and State whereby they are kept one, and without schisms among themselves. 1. Christ the Mediator became as obedient servant, and is willing, and takes pleasure to be employed for His Church's good; and will have a tender consideration of their case. 2. Christ in His care over the visible Church, bath an especial eye to His elect, and the regenerate in it, how abject-like soever they seem in the eyes of men, or in their outward condition. 3. Christ is a faithful shepherd, singular and incomparable in His care and diligence about His people for, saith He, "I took unto Me two staves," whereas other shepherds use but one. 4. The Covenant and doctrine revealed by Christ unto His Church, as it sets forth the beauty and excellency of God, so it is beautiful and sweetly ordered in itself, so as faith and obedience sweetly work to others' hands, and make the followers thereof to be beautiful and excellent above all people; for "the one staff I called Beauty." 5. As unity and concord in a Church is a fruit of Christ's feeding His flock, so policy and order, whereby unity is preserved, is a rich blessing. "The other I called Bands." 6. Christ's performances are answerable to His undertakings: what He saith He doth; and His practice will never give His promise the lie: for unto His promise, "I will feed," is subjoined, "And I fed the flock." (George Hutcheson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. |
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