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Here is an old Jewish prophet honourably putting himself in the hands of his congregation, who is dismissing himself with thirty pieces of silver.

I. AN OLD PROPHET'S MANLY OFFER TO HIS CONGREGATION. If you think good, give me my price. If you are weary of me, pay me off and discharge me. If you be willing to continue me longer in your service, I will continue; or turn me off without wages — I am content. His spirit is

(1)  pathetic,

(2)  submissive,

(3)  magnanimous.

II. THE CHURCH'S MISERABLE ACCEPTANCE OF HIS OFFER. "So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver." They accepted the offer —

1. Immediately. They took no time for consideration. The money was ready for dismissal.

2. Despicably. Thirty shekels.

3. Dishonourably. Dismissing an old pastor with such a paltry sum. Parting with the man of God with a sham testimonial. An old prophet, after a long service of usefulness, cast upon the world with thirty pieces of silver.

4. Studiously mean. "They weighed thirty pieces of silver." They shamefully put the lowest possible value on his ministry. See the extreme want of appreciation of good pastoral service. Zechariah's ministry was Divine. What wretchedness of dealing with the prophetic shepherd of Israel. Salary is no test of a good ministry. Some of the best are badly paid: The geniuses are frequently unworthily recognised by their congregations. Jonathan Edwards was too poor to get paper to pen down his superhuman thoughts in the ministry.

III. The prophet's MANLY DISDAIN OF HIS PEOPLE'S MEANNESS. "And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter," etc. The act was —

1. Divine. "And the Lord said unto me."

2. Manfully done.

3. A proof of their meanness.

IV. An old prophet ROBBED OF HIS JUST CLAIM.

1. Scriptural claim. "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth the corn."

2. Social. For the "workman is worthy of his hire."

3. Equitable. Every class of, people have power to claim their due, why not the ministry?

4. Divine. "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel." "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? And who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit," etc. It is nothing but right for the ministry to get and have their due, for the credit of the Church and the good of their successors. Honesty is virtue everywhere. Conclusion — God frequently punishes publicly mean churches by presenting them with shepherds of extreme barbarity and cruelty. Meanness will be punished.

(J. Morlais Jones.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: I took my staff Favor, and cut it apart, that I might break my covenant that I had made with all the peoples.