Zechariah 11:8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; Today while I post my thought concerning verse 8 on a facebook group, I was asked by a member what "cut off" means. Before this, I have never seriously thought of the severe degree of "cut off". "cut off" means utterly destroyed and ceased to become a nation. At the end of next middle east war, and Gog/Magog, Israel shall win decisively and gains many part of the territory controlled by Lebanon,Syria and Jordan. With the loss of their territory, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan also lose their nation status. This is how serious "cut off" is from the Lord. Three shepherds I cut off in one month My focus is "one month". Many times God foretells a judgment, he hardly adds the duration of that event, except the 70 years of Babylonian captivity. God has made many Oracles against different nations, he never says how long the judgment shall last. Examlles are Jeremiah 49, 50, 51, Isaiah 47, Ezekiel 27, 28. But when he punishes the three shepherds, he specifically mentions that judgment shall last one month. Why? My answer is he wants us to witness that judgment, and gives us one month to witness to the world of the greater judgment coming upon the world. Other than that reason, I can't think of any reason for God to add one month to this prophecy. A correction. Many times God makes Oracles against nations, he "seldom" says how long the judgment shall last.
