ESOCS Devotional 29 July 2021
TEXT: EZEKIEL 34:4-11
MEMORY VERSE: “And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.” Ezekiel 34:5 KJV).
Our text exposed bad shepherds in Israel and outlined their evil deeds (sins). What were these evil deeds? Majorly, they took care of themselves while abandoning their flocks; they were only concerned about their health; they were harsh and brutal on their flocks; they kept the best of foods for themselves but under fed and starved the flocks; they abandoned the flocks, allowing them to scatter (thereby becoming meat to the beasts of the field); and they did not bother to look for any of them. The Shepherds are our Religious and Church Leaders, while the flocks are their members. In many of our churches today, the Religious and Church Leaders are self-centred; caring for themselves only, while their members wallow in horrible poverty. Their members’ daily absence from church services and the spiritual wellbeing of the members do not bother them.
What was God’s reaction to the misdeeds of these Israel’s shepherds? Ezekiel prophesied against them for exploiting God’s people. Again, in his time, Jeremiah also accused them (Jeremiah 23:1-4). God was against them and will remove them as leaders (relegate them to the background and bring His judgment upon them, using their misdeeds. He will take over – He will look for His people and gather them again to Himself.
God will judge such Religious and Church Leaders for neglecting their service to others, which is their mandate (1 Peter 5:1-4). He will remove them from office and hold them responsible. They must be careful not to pursue their own personal interests, needs, and ideas at the expense of the broken in heart, spiritually dry, spiritually hungry, and scattered members. This will mean pushing God aside as well as abandoning those whom He has put under their care, who depend on them. Christian Leaders must heed this warning.
- Are you a shepherd of the Lord’s sheep or a scatterer of the flock?
- Pray for God’s grace to be a good shepherd of the group you lead.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Psalm 23; John 10:11, 14; Hebrews 13:20
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ESOCS Devotional 29 July 2021
