Zechariah 13 - "The Shepherd Struck, The Sheep Scattered" - Brent Stephens / June 9, 2024

During the Civil War, densely-packed battle lines made it likely that field generals might be killed in battle. During the Battle of Spotsylvania, Union General John Sedgwick stood away from the front and proudly proclaimed to his fellow officers “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” The next moment, he was shot and killed by a Confederate sharpshooter. Killing the leader always results in confusion for those who follow. In Zechariah 13:7-9, it is not the enemy who kills the leader, but God himself. But what could God seek to gain from putting His own leader to death? Our passage explains how our sovereign God uses even great tragedy to save His people.