Thirty Pieces of Silver
May 2, 2021
Commentary
I said to them, ‘You may think that I should have some money for my work. If you do think that, pay me my money. If you do not want to pay me, keep it.’ So they paid me 30 silver coins (v. 12). To pay this shepherd 30 pieces of silver was an insult. This was the price paid to an owner for a slave gored by an ox (Ex. 21:32). The Lord said to me, ‘Throw the 30 silver coins to the man who makes pots in the house of the Lord (v. 13).’ They thought that I was not worth very much! I took the 30 coins. And I threw them to the man who makes pots. He makes them for the house of the Lord.
Then I broke the second stick called ‘Together’. I made the country called Judah separate. I made it separate from the country called Israel (v. 14). Because the people had rejected the Messiah, God would reject them which is symbolized by Zechariah breaking the staff called “Bonds.” Then the Lord said to me, Zechariah, ‘Take again the tools of a bad shepherd (v. 15).I have chosen a man to watch the sheep (v. 16). He will not help the sheep that are dying. He will not look for the sheep that have gone away. He will not help the sick sheep or feed the strong sheep. He will eat the meat of the fat sheep. He will tear off their feet to get all the meat. Bad things will happen to the bad shepherd who leaves his sheep (v. 17). His enemy’s knife will cut his arm and his right eye. His arm will become like a dry stick. And his right eye will no longer be able to see anything.’
Application
When most of us think of the thirty pieces of silver we think of Judas and how he sold out for so little money. I never want to let money get in my way of serving the Lord.
Zechariah 11:12– 17 (NET)
12 Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, pay me my wages, but if not, forget it.” So they weighed out my payment—thirty pieces of silver. 13 The Lord then said to me, “Throw to the potter that exorbitant sum at which they valued me!” So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the temple of the Lord. 14 Then I cut the second staff “Union” in two in order to annul the covenant of brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
15 Again the Lord said to me, “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16 Indeed, I am about to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not take heed of the sheep headed to slaughter, will not seek the scattered, and will not heal the injured. Moreover, he will not nourish the one that is healthy, but instead will eat the meat of the fat sheep and tear off their hooves.
17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! May a sword fall on his arm and his right eye! May his arm wither completely away, and his right eye become completely blind!”