Hypocritical Fasting
Category: Failure of sincerity
Could endure: Fast and worship with true devotion.
“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” (Zechariah 7:9)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 58:6–7; Micah 6:8.
Chose wrongly: Fasted for themselves, not for God.
“When you fasted and mourned… was it really for me that you fasted?” (Zechariah 7:5)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 6:16–18; Malachi 1:10.
Endured (negatively): Hardened hearts, unanswered prayers.
“They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law.” (Zechariah 7:12)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 36:16; Acts 7:51.
Why (wrong motive): Ritual without heart change.
“When you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?” (Zechariah 7:6)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 1:13; 1 Corinthians 11:20–21.
Result: Scattered among nations.
“So they made the land they left desolate, so no one traveled through it.” (Zechariah 7:14)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 25:11; Lamentations 2:15.
False Shepherds
Category: Failure of leadership
Could endure: Shepherd the flock with justice and care.
“Ask the LORD for rain… the LORD makes the storm clouds.” (Zechariah 10:1)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 34:2–4; John 10:11.
Chose wrongly: Misled, oppressed, and exploited the flock.
“The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie… so the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” (Zechariah 10:2)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 23:1–2; Matthew 9:36.
Endured (negatively): Removed by God’s judgment.
“Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye!” (Zechariah 11:17)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 34:10; John 10:12–13.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, self-interest, neglect.
“Shepherds of no value.” (Zechariah 11:17)
Cross-Refs: Micah 3:11; Titus 1:11.
Result: Left powerless, disgraced.
“His arm will be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded.” (Zechariah 11:17)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 23:27–28; Revelation 18:21.
Rejection of the Good Shepherd (Messiah)
Category: Failure of faith
Could endure: Receive God’s Shepherd-King.
“See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 21:5; John 10:11.
Chose wrongly: Rejected Him, valued Him at 30 pieces of silver.
“So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said, ‘Throw it to the potter.’” (Zechariah 11:12–13)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 26:15; Matthew 27:9–10.
Endured (negatively): Suffered scattering.
“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27.
Why (wrong motive): Unbelief, hardness of heart.
“They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)
Cross-Refs: John 19:37; Revelation 1:7.
Result: Rejection led to discipline, yet also to God’s future plan of salvation.
“They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.” (Zechariah 12:10)
Cross-Refs: Romans 11:25–26; Revelation 7:14.
Nations Opposing Jerusalem
Category: Failure of humility before God
Could endure: Submit to the LORD’s reign.
“The LORD will be king over the whole earth.” (Zechariah 14:9)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 2:10–12; Revelation 11:15.
Chose wrongly: Gathered against God’s city.
“I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it.” (Zechariah 14:2)
Cross-Refs: Joel 3:2; Revelation 16:14.
Endured (negatively): Crushed by God’s judgment.
“Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations.” (Zechariah 14:3)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 34:2; Revelation 19:19.
Why (wrong motive): Hatred, pride, rebellion.
“This is what they will get in return for their pride.” (Zephaniah 2:10, echo)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 38:16; Revelation 17:14.
Result: Defeated, while survivors forced to worship the LORD.
“Then the survivors from all the nations… will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 14:16)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 66:23; Revelation 21:24.