Daily Lesson for September 4, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Ezekiel chapter 34 verses 1 through 10:

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to them—to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord God: Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. 4 You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed, you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and scattered, they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep were scattered, they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill; my sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with no one to search or seek for them.

7 Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep; 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 Thus says the Lord God, I am against the shepherds; and I will demand my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep; no longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, so that they may not be food for them.

The shepherds are Israel's leaders, who the prophet says have not cared at all for the sheep, but only fattened themselves with abuse of their office and betrayal of those under their care.  No more have the leaders sought to strengthen the weak and give aid to the sick; instead they have fattened themselves, fleecing their flocks for their own spoils.

I read this and I think of so many of our own leaders who have abused their offices to fill the wallets of themselves, and their families, and their friends. Is it any wonder why the flock is so scattered? Isn't it obvious why faith in our government is at such a low?

The prophet says God will not leave the flock to crooked shepherds forever.  God will come to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to bind up and care for their wounds, to comfort and heal them, and to lead them into the green pasture.  God will not leave the flock to the crooked shepherds forever; God will come be their shepherd.  God will deliver them.  So they will again be one flock with one good shepherd.

And the people shall hear the shepherd's voice and trust again . . .

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year.  Over the weekend we continue with the prophet of Ezekiel, reading chapters 37 through 45.