Irresponsible Shepherds

Ezekiel 34:1-10

1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them."

7 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock"— 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD! 10 Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them."

The word of the LORD was given against the shepherds of God’s children who needed feeding me leading but received neither from those appointed over them.  The woe spoken to such irresponsible shepherds was very pointed and specific.  They had been feeding themselves instead of the flock they were given charge over in self-seeking and self-gratification instead of selfless service and care for the sheep.  Likened to actual shepherds with real sheep, a parable was told of how they took wool and food from the sheep and slaughtered them for their own appetites, yet neglected to feed the flock as was needed for their health and even their very survival.  They did not give strength to the weak ones nor did they heal the sick among those leaning on the shepherds for their care or those wounded and needing attention.   They did not even seek and save those who were lost (Matthew 18:12).  Instead they leaned on the staff of their own understanding and cared only for their own health and wealth.  What was far worse was how they ruled over the sheep of God’s pasture with force and cruelty, overbearing harshness instead love and service (1 Peter 5:2-3).  Their pride swallowed up any remaining humility and they abused the flock entrusted to them by leading them into idolatry and immortality in false worship and unlawful living contrary to God’s word.  Therefore the sheep were scattered without a true shepherd and were prey to all those roaming about looking to devour them (1 Peter 5:8).  It seemed as though there was no hope for them as they wandered without anyone seeming to know that they were gone!  Was no one asking about or searching for them?  The LORD then spoke through Ezekiel to those irresponsible shepherds about their selfish behavior and lack of care for those entrusted to them.  He told them quite clearly that He was now set against them and would hold them accountable for the state of these sheep.  He would stop them from feeding them lies and cruelty of neglect and abuse, of misleading and not feeding them.  He would then deliver the downtrodden sheep into His own care and take away their source of food and gain from their mistreatment and exploitation for their own gain.  This is also true for the shepherds today who use the sheep to their own advantage and gain and who mislead them in false teaching and manipulation until they are scattered.  God looks out for His children and keeps them from the adversary and that one’s minions of destruction; He cares for each of His sheep that He has personally chosen and called, and will give them solid food and loving kindness of care (John 10:10-11, 27-29).  That is our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  Woe to the irresponsible shepherds put in care of the flock and not serving them as they have been entrusted to do!  There are many today who still claim to be shepherds, leading large ministries but with deceptive, false, and self-seeking agendas.  Instead of humbly feeding the people, they ask for more from them and only give empty hope of health, wealth, and miracles.  The problem is that these go against God and His word and leave the sheep to wander in hunger for truth with empty hopes.  They need Jesus Christ, walking by faith, solid teaching, and sacrificial examples.