PREPARATION

CHAPTER IX

SHEPHERDS

(ZECHARIAH, CHAPTER 11)

JEHOVAH is the Great Shepherd, and Christ Jesus is the Chief Shepherd of God's covenant people. Those who follow faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus and advance to unity with Christ are made under-shepherds. When one occupies a place of shepherd or teacher amongst God's covenant people, and becomes arrogant, austere, selfish and hypocritical, he is a false and wicked shepherd, and is so designated by the Lord. (Ezek. 34; Vindication, Book 2, page 222) Such false shepherds are at first in three classes, but finally all end up in one class and go into the same place. These counterfeit shepherds must be gathered out from amongst God's people preparatory for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. They must be assigned to their proper place. Jehovah reveals to his remnant the true condition and the course he takes that the remnant may understand and may be made strong in the Lord. With the shepherds there are associated the principal of the flock and others subject to them.

Jehovah caused Zechariah to prophesy concerning the stronghold of "Christendom", and of the counterfeit or false shepherds and also the principal ones of their flocks, that are behind the doors or strong bars of Satan's organiza-

tion, and to say: "OPEN THY DOORS, 0 LEBANON, THAT THE FIRE MAY DEVOUR THY CEDARS." (11: 1) In chapter ten, verse ten, of Zechariah's prophecy, Lebanon is used to picture Jehovah's righteous kingdom, but in Zechariah 11:1 Lebanon is used ironically and pictures that hypocritical class which pretend to be God's people but which in fact are of the synagogue or organization of Satan. These have to make themselves safe in their own strength, which is pictured by their fireproof doors; but such protection will not save them when the time comes for the execution of Jehovah's judgment. The cedars of counterfeit Lebanon are the mighty ones in Satan's organization and, of course, are not built into the temple. These mighty ones dwell in the high peaks of Satan's visible organization. (Amos 2:9) The time comes when the Lord breaks these cedars as a strong man breaks a toothpick, and concerning which his prophet wrote: "The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon." (Ps. 29: 5) Zechariah prophesies concerning "Christendom" here in particular, and Ezekiel prophesies of the fire that shall destroy it. — Ezek. 20:45-49; Vindication, Book One, pages 269-271.

Trees are used to symbolize creatures. The fir and cedar trees are of the same tree family and are used to make ships for the commerce of the world and to make instruments of warfare. The figurative fir tree and figurative cedar tree are closely allied. (Ezek. 27:5; Nahum 2:3)

When the one falls the other mourns; hence the prophecy of Zechariah is: "HOWL, FIR TREE; FOR THE CEDAR IS FALLEN; BECAUSE THE MIGHTY ARE SPOILED; HOWL, 0 YE OAKS OF BASHAN; FOR THE FOREST OF THE VINTAGE IS COME DOWN." (11:2) "OAKS OF BASHAN" also represent mighty ones that are enemies of God and hence are a part of Satan's organization, all of which in due time must come down. (Ezek. 27: 6) "Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink." (Amos 4:1; The Watchtower, 1932, page 117) Idols were made of the oaks of Bashan. (Isa. 44:9-14) Idolatry was practiced under the oaks. (Isa. 1: 29; 57: 5, margin; Hos. 4:13) These oaks more particularly are representative of the Devil's religion employed as a camouflage to hide the deeds of other parts of his wicked organization. Devil religion is practiced under the shade of Big Business, that is, the mighty "OAKS OF BASHAN".

Pharaoh of Egypt and his supporters that ruled and oppressed the people are likened to the lofty cedar for whom there is great mourning when he falls. (Ezek. 31: 2, 3,16) The prophecies indicate that Satan's organization will fall in sections, one after another, and that mourning follows the fall of each. "Christendom," which is chiefly in the Anglo-American imperialistic system, claims to bear the vintage of the kingdom of God, and hence that she rules by

divine right. The cedar tree in Zechariah's prophecy here, therefore, seems to refer chiefly to "Christendom". "Christendom" rejected the kingdom of Jehovah and took the Devil's substitute and labeled it as 'the representative of God's kingdom'. Since then "Christendom" has become "THE DEFENCED FOREST" (marginal reading), or, "THE INACCESSIBLE FOREST" (Roth.), by reason of her armaments, and she is called 'security against war' by reason of her peace pacts and like provisions. The fire of Armageddon shall devour the whole system, including Satan, the chief "cedar", and the war-axe of Jehovah's great Chopper is now 'laid at the root of the forest'. — Matt. 3:10.

The false shepherds in "Christendom" have been the chief ones to practice religion and act as instruments to blind the people to the truth. In consideration for their hypocritical work the other portions of Satan's organization have fed these shepherds; and when their meal ticket is taken away they will set up a great howl. They are hirelings of Big Business, and feed out of the hand of their masters; and when they have to hustle for their food, like others, they will certainly cry. Hence the prophet says: "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." (11:3) When they see their pastures being spoiled they begin to howl, and their howling is already to be heard. (Jer. 25:36) Zechariah says: "THEIR GLORY IS SPOILED." In all

other places in the Scriptures the Hebrew word here rendered "glory" or "majesty" is rendered "garments, mantle, or, robe". These false shepherds wear a peculiar kind of garment, mantle or robe, and by this means have attempted to identify themselves as God's representatives and have thereby been able to cast a spell over the people and cause the people to treat them with awe and much respect. But this prophecy shows that such "magic spell" produced by these gentlemen is rapidly disappearing. (See Ezekiel 34; Vindication, Book Two, page 222; Prophecy, pages 18-23.) Resolutions widely distributed by Jehovah's witnesses have exposed these false shepherds and have already spoiled considerable of their glory; but the Lord tells that he has much more in store for them and he will completely spoil them.

The prophecy in connection with these shepherds mentions the 'roaring young lions', and manifestly these he used to picture the professional politicians that have used the clergy as a shield or blind for their crooked work; and when they lose their fat jobs and prestige they become hungry because thereof, and they howl and roar like a young lion seeking something to satisfy his hunger. "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." (Ps. 34:10) "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." (Ps. 91:13) These young lions roar, "FOR SPOILED ARE THE PROUD BANKS OF THE

JORDAN." (Roth.) This seems to refer to the time when the opportunity for the witness work of Jehovah's people is at a high stage, and results in spoiling the pastures of the proud, which is pictured by the spoiling of the proud banks of the Jordan. (Jer. 49:19; 50:43,44) The spoiling seems to have begun with the pouring out of the sixth "vial", in 1927. (Rev. 16:12) The "YOUNG LIONS" and the religious politicians have been roaring and pawing the dust ever since. Some of these "young lions" are to be found amongst the directors and operators of radio who try to determine that the people shall hear only what their allies in Satan's organization shall speak.

It is God's flock of which Jesus is the principal Sheep, and which flock is led "to the slaughter". (Isa. 53:7) It is to Zechariah, representing Christ and his brethren, that Jehovah now speaks: "FEED THE FLOCK OF THE SLAUGHTER, WHOSE POSSESSORS SLAY THEM, AND HOLD THEMSELVES NOT GUILTY; AND THEY THAT SELL THEM SAY, BLESSED BE THE LORD; FOR I AM RICH; AND THEIR OWN SHEPHERDS PITY THEM NOT." (11: 4, 5) To the same effect the apostle Peter was directed to write: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." (1 Pet. 5:2) Satan's servants, the clergy and "the man of sin", sell the weaker of the flock to the procurers, that is, the ruling factors, who therefore wrongfully have such in custody. For a long while these procurers

have abused, falsely accused and slaughtered the poor of the flock of God. By another prophet the Lord speaks of this wicked crowd that swallow up the needy, and pictures them as saying: 'When . . . may we make the measure small [that is to say, to cheat], and the shekel great, and falsify the balances by deceit? that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.' And then the Lord says to them because of their wicked works: "Surely I will never forget any of their works." — Amos 8:4-7.

These oppressors and slaughterers of God's people "HOLD THEMSELVES NOT GUILTY" of wrongdoing, because the religious false shepherds tell them that it is a good work that they do against God's humble people. Like obedient hirelings, they are not willing to bear any burden of the sheep, but because of their selfishness they connive at the destruction of God's flock. The "man of sin" class engage in selling the flock of God and at the same time hypocritically assume to be doing God's service when they say: "BLESSED BE THE LORD ; FOR I AM RICH." This is the same thing that the Lord shows the lukewarm saying. (Rev. 3:17) Haman sold the Jews to the Persian slaughterers; concerning which Esther said: "We are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed." (Esther 7:4) Many of the "elective elders", who mingle with God's flocks, refuse to join in the protest against Satan's organization, and refuse to bear the kingdom message of comfort and deliverance to the people. It is this

same self-important "elective elder" class that claim to shepherd the flock of God, but who do not; but, on the contrary, become party to the enemy's action in destroying the flock.

The day has come when the people must take their stand for or against Jehovah, because it is the day of vindication; and therefore, by his prophet, Jehovah says: "FOR I WILL NO MORE PITY THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND, SAITH THE LORD: BUT, LO, I WILL DELIVER THE MEN EVERY ONE INTO HIS NEIGHBOUR'S HAND, AND INTO THE HAND OF HIS KING; AND THEY SHALL SMITE THE LAND, AND OUT OF THEIR HAND I WILL NOT DELIVER THEM." (11:6) The inhabitants mentioned in this verse of the prophecy are the ruling elements and their supporters who do not receive the 'mark in their foreheads'; and the Lord will not have pity on them. (Ezek. 9:4-10) They have been unmerciful, and shall not obtain mercy. (Matt. 6:14,15; 18:32-35) The Jonadab class are marked in the forehead, but those who do not sigh and cry for righteousness or seek the Lord are not marked. The Lord delivers this latter class into the hand of his King, Christ, and the members of his militant organization, pictured by Jehu, who shall smite "Christendom", and nothing shall be permitted to deliver them out of the Executioner's hands. In vain their gold and silver will be able to deliver them. (Ezek. 7:19; Zeph. 1:18) Not even those like Noah, Daniel or Job could deliver the unmarked ones.  — Ezek. 14:16,18,20.

"BEAUTY" AND "BANDS"

The prophecy of verse seven following specifically applies after the holy spirit, as an advocate, ceases to function as a comforter and helper of the consecrated (John 14:16,17; 15:26); and therefore the application is after the Lord Jesus, as the antitypical David, appears at the temple and takes charge of God's flock. From that time forward he feeds the flock of God. "AND I WILL FEED THE FLOCK OF SLAUGHTER, EVEN YOU, O POOR OF THE FLOCK. AND I TOOK UNTO ME TWO STAVES; THE ONE I CALLED BEAUTY, AND THE OTHER I CALLED BANDS; AND I FED THE FLOCK." (11: 7) The prophet here says: "I FED THE FLOCK"; meaning, of course, that what he does is as the representative of Jehovah. The flock is Jehovah's, and includes all the "poor in spirit" who take their stand on the side of Jehovah. First are those who are in the covenant for the kingdom, and then, in their turn, the "great multitude" and the Jonadab class are fed. Jehovah is a great Shepherd, and he employs his beloved Son, the good Shepherd, to feed his flock; and therefore Zechariah here pictures Christ Jesus, "the good shepherd." (John 10:16) Christ Jesus at the temple is feeding the flock of God direct, and in this work he employs the faithful members of his body.

In feeding the flock Zechariah, as the Lord's representative, says: "I TOOK UNTO ME TWO STAVES." These were such as the shepherd boy David carried when he went out to engage Goliath in battle. (1 Sam. 17:40-43) In this proph-

ecy the two staves pictured the two covenants of Jehovah, made with those who have called upon his name and who have, by implication or directly, entered into the covenant with him. One of these staves is called "BEAUTY [margin, GRACIOUSNESS ; Roth., GRACE]", and pictures the everlasting covenant "made with all the people". (See verse ten; Genesis 9:1-6,16,17.) The everlasting covenant had the beautiful symbol of the rainbow, and was and is a covenant of grace or graciousness in this, that Jehovah promises that a flood shall never again curse the earth.

The other stave he called "BANDS [BINDERS, or, UNION, A.R.V., margin]", and it pictures the covenant with Judah or the house of David for the kingdom, upon which the brotherhood of Judah and Israel was based. (11:14; Gen, 49: 8-10) "Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together." (10:4) "For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's." (1 Chron. 5: 2) "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron ; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel." (2 Sam. 5:1, 3) They were all in a brotherhood for one king.

During the operation of the holy spirit as advocate and helper, and while the two covenants were in good effect, Jehovah could deal with

those of "Christendom" who had become parties to the covenant; but the time must come, and has come, when "Christendom" breaks the covenant and God is no longer under obligation to perform the covenant on his part, as appears from verses ten and fourteen following in this prophecy. Zechariah at this point in the prophecy foreshadows Christ Jesus in direct touch through his angels with the flock of God, to protect and feed the flock and to rule the enemy. Christ Jesus is shown as having come out of the antitypical Bethlehem, and stands and feeds his flock in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of Jehovah's name. (Mic. 5:2,4) He does not feed those who have broken the covenant, but he is shepherd only for all who seek the Lord, and particularly feeds his faithful remnant. "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd." (Ezek. 34: 23) "And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds [the remnant, as representing the good shepherd, Christ Jesus, because in full unity with him] over them which shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord." (Jer. 23:3,4) The Lord will no longer use the selfish and ambitious "elective elders" to attend to his flock, but uses those who are "born of God" and 'taught of him' and who

walk humbly before the Lord, giving praise to his name. "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." — Jer. 3:15.

All false and unprofitable shepherds God cuts off from his flock in order that the faithful may be prepared and fully equipped for his service. Such false and unprofitable ones are divided into three classes, to wit: (1) the "man of sin", "the son of perdition"; (2) the clergy, both modernists and fundamentalists; and (3) the "elective elders" who have assumed to be overseers of the flock of God, but who fail and refuse to obey God's commandments and to feed upon up-to-date truth which Jehovah has provided for his own. On the contrary, these selfishly feed themselves and stubbornly and willfully take a lawless course. Concerning this point the prophet says: "THREE SHEPHERDS ALSO I CUT OFF IN ONE MONTH; AND MY SOUL LOATHED THEM, AND THEIR SOUL ALSO ABHORRED ME." (11:8) Christ Jesus, after coming to the temple, proceeds with this work of cutting off, or 'sending off' (Roth.}. The "ONE MONTH" is a brief period in which the rejected ones are cut off, and corresponds to the first month of the year, Nisan, the month in which Jesus appeared at the temple in the year 1918, when judgment began. All kingdom interests that had hitherto been in the hands of the three divisions of these false shepherds must now be taken away and given to the faithful ones.

Concerning the "man of sin" class it is written : "Who is that shepherd that will stand before me? Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord, that he hath taken against Edom [the 'man of sin' class]; and his purposes that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman." (Jer. 49:19,20) As to the clergy, who are false shepherds, the Lord says: "And who is that shepherd that will stand before me? Therefore hear ye the counsel of the Lord that he hath taken against Babylon [the clergy of 'organized Christianity'], and his purposes that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans ['Christendom']." (Jer. 50:44, 45) "I will render unto Babylon, and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea, all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord." (Jer. 51: 24) As to the other division, the selfish "elective elder" class who assume to feed the flock of God, but who act for their own selfishness, it is written, "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel [God's covenant-people] that do feed themselves!" — Ezek. 34: 2.

Ultimately they all come into one class, of whom Jehovah says: "Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter." (Isa. 56:11) When Jesus appeared at the temple for judgment he began there the cutting-off work, at which time, says the prophet, "mine anger was kindled against the shepherds." (10:3) He proceeded from that time

forward to send away the workers of iniquity, the "evil servant" class. (Matt. 13:41; 24:50, 51; Hos. 5:6,7) These false shepherds show their hatred of God, and the Lord God abhors them. The three divisions of the shepherds named do not love the appearing of the Chief Shepherd, Christ Jesus, when he appears with all his angels with him at the temple; and therefore there is nothing for them. The "crown of life" is laid up for those who love the appearing of the Shepherd. (2 Tim. 4: 8; 1 Pet. 5:4) The selfish ones have not received "the love of the truth" and are gathered out from the kingdom. —  Ezek. 34:10.

There is a company of people who willingly follow after the false shepherd, to wit, the "man of sin" (2 Thess. 2:10,11); also a company of the principal ones of the flock of organized "Christendom" led by the clergy; and also those who give heed to and follow after the selfish "elective elder" class which opposes the work of the Lord after his coming to the temple. To all such the Lord, by his prophet Zechariah, says: "THEN SAID I, I WILL NOT FEED YOU: THAT THAT DIETH, LET IT DIE; AND THAT THAT IS TO BE OUT OFF, LET IT BE CUT OFF; AND LET THE REST EAT EVERY ONE THE FLESH OF ANOTHER." (11 : 9) The wicked refuse to heed the warning that is given them, and the Lord permits them to die; and their blood is upon their own heads. (Ezek. 3:19) Others of this false shepherd class are cut off by the sore sword, and still another division by the famine, symbolized by 'eating the flesh of

his fellows'. This is supported by the prophecies, as follows: Ezekiel 5:1-4,12; Jeremiah 15:1,2.

Zechariah the prophet is then caused to act out a picture disclosing the purpose of Jehovah, and this he does by the breaking of the two staves, Beauty and Bands. He first breaks the staff Beauty, symbolic of the everlasting covenant, because those in the other side of the covenant have already broken it. (Isa. 24: 5; Gen. 9:1-6) Therefore Jehovah by his prophet here says: "AND I TOOK MY STAFF, EVEN BEAUTY, AND CUT IT ASUNDER, THAT I MIGHT BREAK MY COVENANT WHICH I HAD MADE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE [PEOPLES, R.V.]." (11:10) No longer can Jehovah in justice shepherd the covenant-breaking flock with "Beauty" and "Bands"; therefore he has brought forth from his universal organization "the man child", who is to shepherd all the nations with the scepter of iron. — Rev. 12:5; Ps. 2:8,9.

Jehovah purposes to smite the earth with the worst curse of all time. (Mal. 4: 5, 6; Isa. 24: 6) "Christendom" had repeatedly broken the everlasting covenant before the great climax was reached in 1914, when all "Christendom" engaged in the wholesale bloodshed in violation of the covenant and in maltreating and killing some of Jehovah's faithful witnesses. "Christendom" thus spurning and breaking the everlasting covenant, Jehovah is under no obligation to longer keep covenant with "Christendom", and the breaking of "Beauty" symbolizes

the breaking of that covenant completely. "AND IT WAS BROKEN IN THAT DAY; AND SO THE POOR OF THE FLOCK THAT WAITED UPON ME KNEW THAT IT WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD," (11:11) It was in "THAT DAY" that Jehovah must bring up the subject of the covenant and declare it broken, that it might be known by those who give heed to his Word that it was done by Jehovah.

The true meaning of the everlasting covenant was understood and published by God's people first in 1927. (The Watchtower, December 15, 1927) The book Government, first issued in August, 1928, gives a further explanation of the everlasting covenant, and being publicly released, it constituted a notice to "Christendom" that "Christendom" in particular had broken that covenant. Those who are on the Lord's side know now by Jehovah's Word that he will settle the everlasting-covenant breakers at Armageddon, and that this will not be by conflict between the nations, but by the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Rotherham's rendering of the latter part of this text of the prophecy is: "THEN DID THE SHEEP-MERCHANTS WHO WERE WATCHING ME KNOW THAT THE WORD OF JEHOVAH IT WAS." The visible rulers of Satan's organization are likened unto sheep merchants, that is, buyers or possessors of the flock. (See Zechariah 11:5.) Within a few days after the release of the book Government in 1928 the rulers in "Christendom" and other nations signed the Paris Peace Treaty renouncing war as an instrument for the settlement of international disputes, which peace

treaty the clergy claim proceeded from the Lord. The faithful followers of Christ Jesus knew that such treaties were not from the Lord, but that the Lord had cast away "Christendom" completely.

Zechariah then addresses these "sheep merchants" and says: "AND I SAID UNTO THEM, IF YE THINK GOOD, GIVE ME MY PRICE [MY HIRE, R.V.; MY WAGE, Roth.]; AND IF NOT, FORBEAR. SO THEY WEIGHED FOR MY PRICE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER." (11:12) In applying this prophecy primarily to Jesus, in his case the "sheep merchants" desired to dismiss him from having oversight of their flocks by putting him to death. Jesus resigned from further service to the "lost sheep" of Israel when he made the declaration recorded at Matthew 23:37-39. Judas, who posed as the representative of Jesus, was the treasurer, having the moneybag; and he secretly entered into negotiations to sell and deliver Jesus to the "POSSESSORS" ("SHEEP MERCHANTS"). In the case of Jesus thirty pieces of silver was the value of his service which these possessors placed upon it. Judas, being a thief and privately negotiating the deal, stole the money, or "WAGE", that should have been paid into the hands of Jesus. (John 12: 6) The price of the thirty pieces of silver was agreed upon between Judas and the purchasers (Luke 22:3-6), and thus the insignificant value which they placed upon Him! Now that the "man of sin", "the son of perdition," foreshadowed by Judas, has been revealed, will he do a like service for the "sheep merchants"

before the time of Armageddon? If so, this would show that company so doing as worthy of death. — Ex. 21:16.

The notice that Jesus served upon Israel was that his service for them had ended. (Matt. 23: 37-39) In August, 1931, his true followers promulgated a resolution, designated a "Warning from Jehovah", and this same message was broadcast over many radio stations and later sent by the millions to the people, and particularly placed in the hands of the "sheep merchants"; and this seems well to fit the resignation of the faithful followers of Christ Jesus from further connection with "Christendom" and its "sheep merchants" and false shepherds, and the further fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah 11:12. Among other things that resolution says: "We declare our allegiance is wholly to God and his kingdom, and we delight to be his witnesses and to bear his testimony to the honor of his name. Our faith forbids and precludes us from engaging in war or in any other enterprise that would work harm or injury to mankind. We are for Jehovah's kingdom of everlasting peace." This served as a resignation from further service or connection with "Christendom". At that same convention a resolution was adopted in which God's remnant took the "new name" (Isa. 62:2; 65:15; Rev. 2:17), and which is a notice of completely separating themselves from the organization of their opposers. Such was equivalent to saying,

in the language of the prophet: "GIVE ME MY PRICE [or, WAGE]."

The Jewish clergy did not value the blood of Jesus as precious, and so they set a price of thirty pieces of silver on his life. The clergy of today and their allies place no value on the work which Jehovah's witnesses are doing for the people to point them to the way of salvation and how they may escape the great trouble. Instead, they brand the work of Jehovah's witnesses as commercial peddling or hawking. They set a very low value upon Jehovah's witnesses; and what will be the price which the "man of sin", "the son of perdition," will agree upon for the delivery of these faithful ones? — Jer. 12: 6.

Summing up the matter, it now clearly appears that in A.D. 33 Jehovah sent his beloved Son, who was of priceless value, to Jerusalem, offering him as the Redeemer and King of that people. Under the leadership of the clergy and the principal of their flock the Jews rejected Jesus and fixed his price at thirty pieces of silver, took possession of him, and crucified him. In 1918 Jehovah sent his King of priceless value to "Christendom" and presented him as the King of the world, and "Christendom" rejected the King and kingdom and went fully over to Satan's organization. Then Jehovah sent forth his faithful witnesses with the message of his kingdom, giving warning to all the world. This message the clergy and the principal of their flock have rejected, and have fixed the price of Jehovah's message and messengers at nothing,

saying to them in substance: "You are not worth thirty cents." Jehovah says to "Christendom": "What a great price you have set upon me and my message of goodness to you!" His faithful witnesses continue to deliver his testimony and, when done, report: "I have done as commanded." Jehovah broke off relationship with Jerusalem and destroyed that city. He has broken off relationship with "Christendom" and will destroy that organization. These things were foreshadowed by the breaking of the staves Beauty and Bands. These things were written aforetime for the comfort of those now on earth who love Jehovah.

Jehovah is the Master of the Zechariah class, and therefore the price is Jehovah's money. Hence the Lord directs Zechariah to prophesy: "AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME, CAST IT UNTO THE POTTER: A GOODLY PRICE THAT I WAS PRIZED AT OF THEM. AND I TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, AND CAST THEM TO THE POTTER IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD," (11:13) Other translations of this particular prophecy read: "So I TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, AND CAST THEM IN THE HOUSE OF JEHOVAH, INTO THE TREASURY" (Roth.) ; "UNTO THE TREASURER." (Leeser) Jehovah is "THE POTTER". Many scriptures support this conclusion. The potter is the one who forms or creates. "But now, 0 Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." (Isa. 64:8) The same Hebrew word rendered "potter" is rendered "former", "formed" and "fashioned". (Gen. 2:7,

8,19; Jer. 1:5; Isa. 43:1, 7,21) Christ and his body members were "fashioned" by Jehovah (formed by the Potter). "Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." (Ps. 139:16) Jesus is the chief understudy of the Great Potter, Jehovah.  — John 1:3.

In bargaining the price for Jesus the Jewish clergy really fixed the price of Jehovah and his service to them. (John 5:23) No wonder the Lord Jehovah ironically says, as stated by the prophet: "THE MAGNIFICENT PRICE AT WHICH I HAD BEEN VALUED BY THEM!" (Roth.) This is ironically called " 'THE PRECIOUS PRICE' at which the divine care was valued". (Leeser, margin) How insignificant is this when compared with the language of the psalmist: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever;) that he should still live for ever, and not see corruption." — Ps. 49:7-9.

The taking of the silver by Zechariah and casting it to the potter does not exactly foreshadow Judas' accepting the blood money. It was Jeremiah who foretold that. (Matt. 27: 3-10) Judas cast the money down in the temple, the same place where Zechariah cast the money. Jehovah is now in the temple, and the receiving of the money from "Zechariah" bears testimony against those who do the pricing, and which

therefore calls for the same action by the Great Potter against the "sheep merchants" who would have none of the service of Jehovah's faithful witnesses; and therefore, they having been warned, 'their blood is upon their heads.' (Ezek. 3:19; 33: 2-5) "Even so will I break this people, and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again." (Jer. 19:10,11) Jehovah thus pictures the breaking of the "sheep merchants". (See Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 30:12-14; Revelation 2: 26,27.) The action of Zechariah in casting the money into the temple also seems to picture Jehovah's witnesses who have been priced by Christendom's "sheep merchants"; and then Jehovah's faithful witnesses submit their case to their heavenly Father, presenting before him the evidence and in effect saying: "I have done as thou hast commanded me." — Ezek. 9:11.

Zechariah then broke the staff Bands, or, Binders, which pictured the covenant for the kingdom. "THEN I CUT ASUNDER MINE OTHER STAFF, EVEN BANDS, THAT I MIGHT BREAK THE BROTHERHOOD BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL." (11:14) The breaking of the brotherhood between the ten tribes of Israel and the tribe of Judah after the death of Solomon was due to their unfaithfulness to the kingdom covenant and to idolatry on the part of the reigning house of Solomon (1 Ki. 12:19-24; 11:4-13), and also to the refusal on the part of the ten tribes to longer submit to God's will concerning the kingdom covenant. (Gen. 49:10; 2 Sam. 7:4-17; Ps.

89: 3, 4, 35-37) Israel refused to be ruled by the house of David with whom the kingdom covenant had been made. Likewise in the fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah, the breaking of the covenant with "organized Christianity" is shown in the breaking of the stave Bands, or, Binders. Catholics and Protestants and others have assumed to be in the covenant to do the will of God and in the covenant for the kingdom. Those who form "organized Christianity", so called, have broken that covenant by idolatry or Devil worship, making themselves a part of Satan's organization, and by refusing to be submissive to the requirements of the "Lion of the tribe of Juda", which refusal reached an emphatic climax in the endorsement of the League of Nations, in 1919, by the Church Federation. There they took a positive stand in opposition to Jehovah and his kingdom. These, together with all who have rejected the Lord Jesus at his coming to the temple, have broken the covenant with Jehovah, and no longer could he shepherd that rebellious flock. The book Vindication deals fully with this matter.

The time when Zechariah, God's faithful remnant, figuratively broke the staff Bands was at the adoption of the resolution in July 26, 1931, at which time Vindication and other like kingdom messages were published and served upon the followers of "Christendom". The pouring out of the "seven last plagues", from 1922 to 1928, did not move "Christendom" and other professed followers of Christ to repentance (Revelation 15

and 16); hence the breaking point came in 1931. It was at that time that the remnant disclaimed all brotherhood relationship with those rejecting the kingdom, and this they did by receiving and adopting the "new name" which Jehovah gave them. The enemy has falsely charged Jehovah's witnesses with changing their name for the purpose of deception. This is in keeping with the action of Satan's organization. God himself gave the new name and foretold this long ago, and the faithful ones, as Zechariah did, merely carried out his will which he had long ago declared should be done. Thus receiving the new name, and breaking all relationships with those who oppose the kingdom, the faithful remnant submit their case to Jehovah, declaring themselves wholly for his kingdom and that they have nothing in common with any organization that has to do with Satan. — 2 Cor. 6:15-18.

After having broken the staffs "Beauty" and "Bands", then the Lord commanded Zechariah to take the instruments of the "FOOLISH SHEPHERD [WORTHLESS SHEPHERD, Roth.]". (11:15) These instruments are the tools or equipment for service. The former holders thereof having forfeited their right to use them because of having become foolish, that is to say, perverse, and failing to perform their duties and obligations, such are not permitted on the "highway", and their opportunity for service is taken away by the faithful ones. (See Isaiah 35:8, A.R.V.) This part of the prophecy applies to the "evil servant" class, "the man of sin," described by Christ

Jesus in Matthew 24:48-51; 25:26-30; Luke 19: 24-26. "The fool shall be servant to the wise of heart." (Prov. 11: 29) The Watchtower of February 1 and March 1, 1923, specially called attention to the transfer of the kingdom interests or "goods" of the shepherd from the foolish to the "faithful and wise servant" class. It was then known by the remnant, the "faithful servant" class, that the Lord was at the temple; but the foolish servant rejected the truth, showing that the temple is not for them. The remnant immediately responded to take up the instruments that the Lord had taken from the foolish ones and to use them to his praise.

When called to the kingdom and when entering the Lord's service, these shepherds were not then foolish, but they became foolish, worthless and of the idol-worshiping class at the close of the Elijah work, and others became foolish by following in their same course. The Lord had no further use for this 'worthless servant' class. Hence he caused Zechariah to prophesy: "FOR, LO, I WILL RAISE UP A SHEPHERD IN THE LAND, WHICH SHALL NOT VISIT THOSE THAT BE CUT OFF [THAT BE HIDDEN, margin], NEITHER SHALL SEEK THE YOUNG ONE [THOSE THAT BE SCATTERED, R.V.], NOR HEAL THAT THAT IS BROKEN [AND THE FRACTURED WILL HE NOT BIND UP, Roth.], NOR FEED THAT THAT STANDETH STILL; BUT HE SHALL EAT THE FLESH OF THE FAT, AND TEAR THEIR CLAWS [HOOFS] IN PIECES." — 11:16.

It is the "great multitude" that are "HIDDEN" or lost sight of in the prison houses, or church

systems, and that need the message of the kingdom ; and the foolish or worthless servant does not visit them. The "YOUNG" as to knowledge of God's Word and its meaning are the "SCATTERED" ones, straying among the organizations of "Christendom" and searching for what satisfies. The "FRACTURED" ones are such as have sustained injury by contact with Satan's organization. None of these the slothful or foolish are permitted to serve. "THE WEAK WILL HE NOT NOURISH." (Roth.) Those 'standing still', hence making no progress in knowledge, are the ones weak because of lack of spiritual food, convenient for them and which they fail to feed upon. The slothful or foolish servant does not go from house to house with convenient food in hand to teach the people concerning the kingdom, but, instead, opposes that which the Lord has provided. Like wild beasts, such as a wolf or a lion, they have attacked God's flock, while serving themselves. Like a cat-faced animal, they mislead many by indulging in good words and fair speech to deceive the hearts of the simple, and thus they willfully feed their own bellies. From these the faithful must be entirely separate.  — Rom. 16:17,18; Phil. 3:18,19; 2 Pet. 2: 3.

When the Chief Shepherd appears at the temple it is a time of woe for the foolish, good-for-nothing, worthless shepherds; hence says the Lord's prophet: "WOE TO THE IDOL SHEPHERD [R.V., WORTHLESS SHEPHERD] THAT LEAVETH THE FLOCK! THE SWORD SHALL BE UPON HIS ARM, AND UPON HIS RIGHT EYE; HIS ARM SHALL BE CLEAN

DRIED UP, AND HIS RIGHT EYE SHALL BE UTTERLY DARKENED." (11:17) The foolish servant becomes unprofitable, wicked and slothful. (Matt. 25:30) As an "IDOL SERVANT" he is a thing of vanity and, like an idol, seats himself as a god (idol), claiming to be as God. (Jer. 10: 8,15; 51:17,18; 2 Thess. 2: 4) Jehovah commanded Ezekiel to prophesy woe unto such shepherds. (Ezek. 34:1, 2; see Vindication, Book Two) The prophet then tells the course of this foolish servant class, to wit: Those making up the 'worthless servant' class leave the flock of God as soon as they find out that they will not be permitted to boss the Society or organization of Jehovah's sheep. Even before they withdrew themselves from' the presence of God's flock they were against his kingdom interests because of their selfishness, and in this condition the Lord found them when he came to the temple. They leave the flock and draw others away after them by speaking perverse things. (Acts 20: 30) "These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit." (Jude 19) Beginning in 1917, and from that time forward, those who go to make up this worthless servant class have followed such selfish and wicked course.

The great Judge at the temple casts the wicked servant away. The sword which comes upon his arm ('drying it up,' Roth., margin) shall also be upon his right eye. The apostle warns that Jehovah and his Chief Shepherd bear not the sword in vain. (Rom. 13:4) He expresses his sharp judgment against the "WORTHLESS SHEP-

HERD", and "HIS ARM SHALL BE CLEAN DRIED UP". The arm, together with the hand, which is a part thereof, symbolically represents divinely provided equipment for service to the kingdom of God; and such, by the judgment of the Lord, is completely taken away from the worthless or "evil servant" class, and this is pictured by drying up. The "RIGHT EYE" evidently means the best eye or means of seeing, and this "SHALL BE UTTERLY DARKENED". This exactly fits the condi-

tion of the worthless servant class, the "evil servant". Those of that class not only refuse to discern the Lord at his temple for judgment, but speak wickedly against those who are making known the fact that the Lord is at his temple. For them the temple does not exist, and hence the Lord does not reveal to them the deep things of his Word. (Isa. 42: 9; 1 Cor. 2:10) Such is the effect of God's sword, or swift judgment, upon them. Their understanding is darkened. (Rom. 11:10; Eph. 4:18; Ps. 69: 23) The prophet therefore gives an exact description of the present-day condition of the "evil servant" class that opposes Jehovah's witnesses in the proclamation of the kingdom message. "The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walketh in darkness." — Eccl. 2:14; Matt 6: 22, 23.

With these disabilities mentioned by the prophet the "IDOL SHEPHERD" is "WORTHLESS"; hence concerning such it is written: "Let him be unjust still." (Rev. 22:11) The Lord casts such into outer darkness. (Matt. 25:30) The 'worthless servant' class must be gathered out and taken away from God's faithful ones before the temple is cleansed, in order that the approved ones might be prepared for the use of the Lord and offer unto him an offering in righteousness.