“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
“‘I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
“‘I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” Ezekiel 34:2-6,10-16
The Lord had harsh words for false shepherds, but gentle promises for His sheep. His hand of justice would destroy the wicked but rescue, protect, and feed His own. Where selfish shepherds took advantage of Israel’s sheep, He would give them every advantage of strength, healing and rest. He holds accountable those whom He’s trusted to be accountable for others, and offers with open hands all we need to serve them faithfully.
At home and in community, we have people to watch over with care. We will account for how we handle God-given responsibility.
Whom has the Lord entrusted to my shepherding? What position do my hands take toward them? Do I push away or pull toward and prod along? Am I tight fisted with time and resources, grasping preferences and control, or do I willingly open them in submission to Christ, and extend His enabled gentleness, generosity, and love? How effectively do I bind wounds, tend to concerns, and supply nourishment for body and soul? (Psalm 23:1-3; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
Good Shepherd, help me lead, care, and love as You do for me, and so honor You in shepherding Your people.
As the rain and snow 