Zechariah 11 Commentary

Zechariah urges the leaders of Lebanon and Bashan to lament the destruction of their forested land because the LORD will come to them with judgment. 

The LORD commanded Zechariah to care for His covenant people because, like sheep destined for slaughter, they are at the mercy of dishonest merchants and shepherds. The LORD will punish the people, causing strife within the community. 

Zechariah cares for the oppressed Judeans using two staffs: one is called Favor and the other Union. He then dismisses the inadequate leaders and renounces his commission to allow the people to receive the fate awaiting them. Finally, he breaks the two staffs, signifying that God will temporarily remove His favor from the people and will not unify Judah and Israel for a while. 

The LORD instructs Zechariah to act as a foolish leader who cares nothing for his people to illustrate the wicked behavior of a future leader He will install. He then pronounces judgment on that leader for his evil deeds of exploiting the people he was assigned to serve.