Ezekiel 34:2 “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?”
Today’s scripture has me thinking about how God intends all of us to be shepherds for His people, how He gives us all different gifts to accomplish that goal, and how He expects us to do our part, to use our gifts, to care for His flock.
Ezekiel 34:3 “You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.”
My oldest sister is gifted at making people feel welcome. Her doors, her home, her heart are always open. My middle sister is fostering children. She cares for them—physically, mentally, spiritually. My gift involves encouragement of others. We all have a gift—ALL of us—a thing we do uniquely well that helps others, helps God’s flock.
Ezekiel 34:4 “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.”
Lord, Thank You for allowing us to partner with You to help Your people. Thank You that You have gifted each of us uniquely to be Your hands and feet. Help each of us to use Your gifts to tend Your flock. Draw us closer. Amen.
Ezekiel 34:5 “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.”
Have a blessed day.