Zechariah 11:1
Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars!
Open your doors
This phrase is a call to action, suggesting an invitation or allowance for something significant to occur. In the Hebrew context, "open" (פִּתְחִי, pithchi) implies a deliberate act of making way or preparing for an event. Historically, Lebanon was known for its strong defenses and natural barriers, symbolized by its majestic mountains and forests. The opening of doors signifies vulnerability and the removal of barriers, possibly indicating a forthcoming judgment or invasion. Spiritually, it can be seen as a call for the people to prepare their hearts for divine intervention or correction.

O Lebanon
Lebanon, in the biblical context, is renowned for its lush forests and, most notably, its cedars. The cedars of Lebanon were highly prized for their quality and were used in significant constructions, including Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 5:6). The mention of Lebanon here is symbolic, representing strength, pride, and natural beauty. In a prophetic sense, Lebanon can symbolize nations or peoples who are proud and self-reliant, standing in contrast to the humility required by God. The call to Lebanon is a metaphorical address to those who rely on their own strength rather than on God.

that the fire may devour
Fire, in biblical literature, often symbolizes judgment, purification, or destruction. The Hebrew word for fire (אֵשׁ, esh) conveys both a literal and metaphorical sense of consuming power. In this context, the fire represents divine judgment that is inevitable and consuming. The imagery of fire devouring suggests a thorough and complete act of judgment, leaving nothing untouched. Historically, this could allude to the invasions and destructions that would come upon the land, serving as a divine response to the people's disobedience and idolatry.

your cedars
Cedars are emblematic of strength, durability, and grandeur. The cedars of Lebanon were famous throughout the ancient world and were a source of national pride. In the prophetic literature, cedars can symbolize human pride and self-sufficiency. The destruction of the cedars by fire indicates the dismantling of what is considered strong and unassailable. Spiritually, this serves as a reminder that no human strength or achievement can stand against the judgment of God. It is a call to humility and recognition of God's ultimate authority over creation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Lebanon
A region known for its majestic cedar trees, often symbolizing strength and pride. In biblical times, Lebanon's cedars were highly valued and used in significant constructions, including Solomon's Temple.

2. Cedar Trees
Representing strength, majesty, and pride. In this context, they symbolize something that is about to be judged or destroyed.

3. Fire
A symbol of judgment and purification. Here, it represents the impending destruction that is to come upon Lebanon's cedars.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Pride
Just as the cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their grandeur, human pride can lead to downfall. We must guard against elevating ourselves above God’s will.

God’s Sovereignty in Judgment
The imagery of fire consuming the cedars reminds us that God is sovereign and His judgments are just. We should live in reverence and obedience to His commands.

The Call to Repentance
The impending destruction serves as a warning to turn back to God. It is a call for self-examination and repentance in our own lives.

The Transience of Earthly Glory
The cedars, though mighty, are not immune to destruction. This teaches us that earthly power and glory are temporary and should not be our ultimate pursuit.

Hope in Restoration
While judgment is a theme, the broader context of Zechariah includes restoration. God’s ultimate plan is to restore and redeem, offering hope beyond judgment.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the imagery of the cedars of Lebanon being devoured by fire teach us about the nature of pride and its consequences?

2. How can we apply the lesson of God’s sovereignty in judgment to our personal lives and decision-making processes?

3. In what ways does the call to repentance in Zechariah 11:1 resonate with the message of repentance found in the New Testament?

4. How does the theme of the transience of earthly glory challenge our current priorities and pursuits?

5. Considering the broader context of Zechariah, how does the promise of restoration after judgment provide hope and encouragement in our spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 2:12-13
This passage speaks of the day of the Lord's judgment against all that is proud and lofty, including the cedars of Lebanon. It highlights the theme of divine judgment against human pride.

Ezekiel 31:3-14
Compares Assyria to a cedar in Lebanon, emphasizing the fall of the proud and mighty. This connection underscores the theme of divine retribution against nations or entities that exalt themselves.

Jeremiah 22:6-7
Refers to the destruction of the house of the king of Judah, likening it to the forests of Lebanon, indicating that what is strong and majestic can be brought low by God's judgment.
Fallen GreatnessJoseph Parker, D. D.Zechariah 11:1-2
The Cedar and the FirH. Melvill, B. D.Zechariah 11:1-2
The Cedar Useful After it is FallenZechariah 11:1-2
The Cedars, Fir Trees, and Oaks of SocietyD. Thomas Zechariah 11:1, 2
The Cedars, Fir Trees, and Oaks of SocietyHomilistZechariah 11:1-2
The Death of Great MenZechariah 11:1-2
The Fallen CedarW. L. Alexander, D. D.Zechariah 11:1-2
People
Zechariah
Places
Bashan, Jordan River, Lebanon
Topics
Burning, Cedars, Devour, Doors, Feed, Fire, Lebanon, O, Open
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Zechariah 11:1-2

     4424   cedar

Zechariah 11:1-3

     4448   forests

Library
Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God Infallible. --Other Sciences Subordinate to Theological Science.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. BUT that is not exactly what St. Paul says. The Greek for that, would be He graphe--not pasa graphe--theopneustos. St. Paul does not say that the whole of Scripture, collectively, is inspired. More than that: what he says is, that every writing,--every several book of those hiera grammata, or Holy Scriptures, in which Timothy had been instructed from his childhood,--is inspired by God [330] . It comes to very nearly the same thing but it is not quite
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

And Again David Says:...
And again David says: They looked upon me: they parted my garments among them, and upon any vesture they cast lots. For at His crucifixion the soldiers parted His garments as they were wont; and the garments they parted by tearing; but for the vesture, because it was woven from the top and was not sewn, they cast lots, that to whomsoever it should fall he should take it. And again Jeremiah the prophet says: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was sold, whom they bought
Irenæus—The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly Father - the Temple of Jerusalem - the Retirement at Nazareth.
Once only is the great silence, which lies on the history of Christ's early life, broken. It is to record what took place on His first visit to the Temple. What this meant, even to an ordinary devout Jew, may easily be imagined. Where life and religion were so intertwined, and both in such organic connection with the Temple and the people of Israel, every thoughtful Israelite must have felt as if his real life were not in what was around, but ran up into the grand unity of the people of God, and
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the Feast of Tabernacles.
The closing words which Jesus had spoken to those Pharisees who followed HIm breathe the sadness of expected near judgment, rather than the hopefulness of expostulation. And the Discourse which followed, ere He once more left Jerusalem, is of the same character. It seems, as if Jesus could not part from the City in holy anger, but ever, and only, with tears. All the topics of the former Discourses are now resumed and applied. They are not in any way softened or modified, but uttered in accents of
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations,
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
(in the Temple and Outside the Wall of Jerusalem. Friday Morning.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 3-10; ^E Acts I. 18, 19. ^a 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned [Judas, having no reason to fear the enemies of Jesus, probably stood in their midst and witnessed the entire trial], repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. [There are two Greek words which are translated "repented,"
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the Enjoyments of the Heavenly World.
John iii. 3. John iii. 3. --Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God. IN order to demonstrate the necessity of regeneration, of which I would fain convince not only your understandings, but your consciences, I am now proving to you, that without it, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of God; and how weighty a consideration that is I am afterwards to represent. That it is thus impossible, the words in the text do indeed sufficiently prove: but for the further illustration
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Zechariah 11:1 NIV
Zechariah 11:1 NLT
Zechariah 11:1 ESV
Zechariah 11:1 NASB
Zechariah 11:1 KJV

Zechariah 11:1 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Zechariah 10:12
Top of Page
Top of Page