Who is the idol shepherd?

By Craig C. White

I think that the idol shepherd in Zechariah 11:16-17 is an Israeli ruler put in charge of the nation of Israel during the Tribulation period. He will give away his country and its security. During the Tribulation period Israel will be subject to the next world empire. There is some precedent for assigning a new ruler in Israel when under the authority of a world empire. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar fired King Jehoiachin (aka Jeconiah or Coniah; 2Ki 24:15) and assigned Zedekiah to take over as king of Israel during the Babylonian captivity. ‎ Zedekiah did evil in God’s site (2 Kings 24:19, 20; Jer. 52:2, 3).

Lately the Palestinian peace process negotiators have been lamenting that they aren’t dealing with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. If you will remember Ehud Barak removed Israeli settlers from southern Lebanon. He is now serving as Deputy Prime Minister. The Palestinian authority is looking for an Israeli ruler who will hand them Israel’s land and sovereignty.

Several Israeli Prime Ministers have also given away land for peace. In 1995 Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin gave full control of Bethlehem and other west bank areas to the Palestinian Authority. Rabin was assassinated in November 1995.

I am also reminded of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who orchestrated Israel’s unilateral disengagement of the Gaza strip in 2005. Sharon turned over the Gaza strip to the Palestinian authority. Today Ariel Sharon is on his death bed after suffering a stroke and falling into a coma in 2006.

It could very well be that Ehud Barak will be the idol shepherd spoken of by Zechariah. Of course it could be another Israeli ruler. Perhaps he will be thrust into power by the Antichrist or by world powers. Whoever this Israeli leader is he will give away the sovereignty and land of Israel.

If I were you I wouldn’t wait to see if Ehud Barak regains power in Israel. This could happen after Church age believers are taken into heaven at the Rapture. That would mean that you must endure the terrible time of Satan’s influence and God’s wrath on earth called the Tribulation. The Church is saved from this terrible period. Call on the name of Jesus Christ and be saved now while there is still time!

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.