SCRIPTURE:
'“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and 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. '
Ezekiel 34:2-4
OBSERVATION:
The word of the Lord to Ezekiel about what the shepherds of Israel lacked and thus were removed for.
I see it as Pharisee vs. Shepherd mentality. As the gospels write, and Godspell the musical depicts, the Pharisees loved to sit on their high chairs in their flowing robes, telling people how to live, but never lifting a finger to show them and example of how to live. Here in Ezekiel, God tells the prophet the shepherds are basically doing the same thing. They’re eating the best foods, wearing the best clothes instead of helping the weak, healing the sick and pursuing the lost. While they held the title and reaped the benefit of that title, they failed to execute that role in action.
May I never do the same.
APPLICATION:
When asked what the biggest difference between my previous kuleana (responsibility) and current one my answer was that the scale between skill of hands and integrity of heart needs now to tilt more towards heart. I still believe that. My skill has garnered me favor and advancement, but now I firmly believe it’s my heart that will not just sustain but continue to grow me.
As the Lord rebukes Ezekiel on the failings of Israel’s shepherds, may it be a lesson to me to never do the same. Yes, I’m grateful and honored for the kūlana (role), but that in itself should be the launching pad of every endeavor moving forward. As I have been given grace, loved unconditionally, chased down and cared for, I need to pay that forward and do the same. If not, I risk falling into a becoming a Pharisee.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I’m grateful beyond measure. Transform my mind and heart to complete align with yours. May I never fall the way of the wayward shepherd, putting my needs and comforts ahead of others. I’m ready to serve, so grant me the courage to surrender. Amen
