ESOCS Devotional 22 October 2021
TEXT: EZEKIEL 34: 1-16
MEMORY VERSE: “As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and feed not my flock” (Ezekiel 34:8 KJV).
Our text today reveals a picture of self-centred, selfish leadership in ancient Israel that was concerned only with their own personal well-being. In this context, the shepherds were the kings, priests, and elders of Israel. They used their position as opportunity to satisfy their thirst for authority, control, and economic dominance (vs. 1-6).
The above scenario is typical of what has become of the Christian priesthood today. To a great extent, the leadership of the Church (denominations), like the above cited leaders of Israel, have become indifferent to the real spiritual welfare of the flock of Christ. The pastors have become lords and monarchs. Instead of feeding the sheep with food that has spiritual substance, they feed them with chaffs, and then take advantage of their ignorance. The flock of Christ, in their totality, form God’s building stones for the kingdom. The present generation of pastors (leaders and elders) have turned the flock of Christ into bread, to satisfy their excessive desire for economic affluence. And one wonders where this example came from: the OVER-EMPHASIS on offerings, seeds, tithes, and many a time, forced donations.
Like the Lord Jesus, the shepherds should focus on God’s salvation plan, and continuously nurture the flock of God with the undiluted word of God, instead prosperity gospel and the practice of robbing the flock in the name of the Lord, with the gospel.
- If a pastor has nothing to show, such as big cars, he is unsuccessful. True?
- Lord, grant me the grace to focus on the right course, for the kingdom’s sake.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Ezra 1: 1-18; Luke 7: 35 – 50; 1: 3 1- 23.
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ESOCS Devotional 22 October 2021
