The right tools for the foolish shepherd

​“The Lord said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭11‬:‭15‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/zec.11.15.NASB1995

Zechariah has just broken his two useful staffs. The staff of favor and the staff of union to which he would demonstrate God’s love toward the flock. But now God is telling him to pick up the equipment of a foolish shepherd. In order to understand the equipment of a foolish shepherd we need to understand the equipment of a wise shepherd.

1. The staff with a hook on the end 

2. A club

3. A bag of useful harnesses and first aid supplies

So the foolish shepherd will not have the proper equipment but rather ill-prepared equipment not suitable for sheep raising.

1. A walking staff with no hook or with a hook made of iron (if used would hurt the lambs).

2. A too-big or too-small club. 

3. A bag with personal items and nothing for the sheep.

The staff of a shepherd 

We all have seen this staff typically in Jesus' hand for His is the good shepherd. The hook on the end would be able to reach around and hold a lamb without hurting it. The foolish staff would have no hook, therefore, making it useless to grab the sheep. Or they might try to incorporate a metal hook which when swinging at the seep would hurt it. 

This staff could relate to us in the way we operate the Bible with those in our flock. If the Bible is a walking stick for us then we see no benefit in it helping others. Or if we use the Bible as a metal hook it would turn people off from the God who loves them for they have been hurt by the very people who were trying to help them. 

The club

A shepherd would carry a club for defense and discipline. When a wolf or bear would come to attack the flock the shepherd could use it to knock the predator over the head to knock it out. If this club was too small it would do no harm. If the club was too big it would not be able to be picked up and swung at a speed that would hurt the attacker.

The club is our words with other people. If we talk like the world our club is too small and will not be effective in bringing Godly wisdom into our flock. But then if we are using too high and lofty words then our flock will have no idea what we are talking about. 

Our bag

This would include supplies for our survival and the health and well-being of the flock. Things like harnesses for securing the sheep, rope, bandages, bed rolls, hats, coats, etc. The foolish bags would only include the me items with no regard for the sheep. 

This can be summed up as our attitudes. If we only have the me attitude we will do whatever it takes to please me. But if we have the them attitude then whatever it takes to please them with no regard for the cost to me. But rather we should have the me and them attitude. I will do enough for you while looking out for myself as well. Just as the shepherd would have a bag of his stuff along with the sheep's stuff.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/2ti.3.16-17.NASB1995

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭36‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.12.36.NASB1995

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/col.4.6.NASB1995

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/act.20.28.NASB1995