Leaders of Israel as shepherds

EZEKIEL  CHAPTER 34

A message came to Ezekiel from the Lord which asked him to prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. He asked that they be told that destruction would be certain for those who fed themselves instead of their flocks. They drink the milk, wear the wool and butcher the best animals, but let their flock starve. The Lord continues the analogy of the shepherd by telling of the flock that wonders away to become easy prey and they shepherds do not search for them. Therefore, the Lord's words talk of holding the shepherds responsiblle for what happened to the flock and he would take away their right to feed the flock along with the right to feed themselves. And the Lord would rescue his flock from their mouths.

The Lord continues the analogy by saying he would also search and find his sheep and he would be like a shepherd looking for his flock. He would rescue them and bring them home to the land of Israel and give them good pastureland and let them lie in pleasant places. He would tend them himself and bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. Then the Lord said he would judge between the sheep and separate the sheep from the goats, and between the fat sheep and scrawny sheep. Then he would set his servant David over them to be a shepherd over them.

The Lord promised a covenant of peace with the people, one that let them camp in safety in the wilderness and in the woods.And he would send showers and blessings and good crops so that when their chains of slavery are broken, they will know the Lord and they are his people.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? In this chapter the Lord is calling religious leaders on the carpet. He wants them to not pursue self-development at the expense of losing people. And if the leaders fail their flock, they would be removed from office and held responsible for their actions. When our leaders fail us, we must remember that God is in control and he promises his care for us.

We have bad leaders in the church today also. Most of the time, they are found out and banished from office. But think of the damage they do to the flock if they teach false ideas. We have seen this happen in our area of the country not long ago.

So what kind of answer to the problem does the Lord give us? He sends his servant David to lead the people. Oh, don't we often wish for a "David" to come lead us today. But we have the history of the Holy Bible  and good leaders in our churches and our faith, and with these our nourishment will be met.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH:

Pray for my grandson Hunter who has been brought home, but needs counseling badly.

Pray for Garry and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Arlene’s niece Denise.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and who recently underwent major surgery.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our farmers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought. Pray for us consumers who will face higher grocery prices and the poor who won’t be able to adjust what little budget they have.