Homilist Zechariah 11:3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions… I. THE MEN HERE REFFERED TO called "shepherds," which is a designation of men in power, men who politically and ecclesiastically presided over the people, the leaders. The "shepherds" have sometimes reached their positrons irrespective of the will of the people. The "shepherds" referred to here had an ambitious character. Likened to "young lions." 1. That a man in high office who has a bad character is of all men the most contemptible A bad character in a pauper makes him contemptible; but a bad character in a king makes him ten times the more contemptible. 2. That it is the duty of all peoples to promote those alone to high office who have a high moral character. II. Bad men in high office GREATLY DISTRESSED. "There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds," etc. "The glory of these shepherds being spoiled," says Wardlaw, "signifies the bringing down of all their honour and power and the wealth and luxury which, by the abuse of their power, they had acquired, all becoming a prey to the sacking and pillaging besiegers. The pride of Jordan lay in its evergreens and brushwood with which its banks were enriched and adorned; and these being the covert and habitation of the young lions, the two parts of the figure are appropriate. As the lions howl and roar in dismay and fury when dislodged from their refuges and dwelling places, whether by the swelling flood sweeping over their lairs, or from the cutting down or the burning of their habitations, so should the priests and rulers of Jerusalem be alarmed and struck with desperation and rage, when they found their city, within whose walls they had counted themselves secure from the very possibility of hostile entrance, laid open to the outrage of an exasperated enemy, and all its resources given up to plunder and destruction — country as well as city thrown into confusion and desolation!" Such rulers may well be distressed — 1. Because all the keen-sighted and honest men over whom they preside despise them. 2. Because the Righteous Governor of the world has denounced them. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. |
    |