Ezekiel 34:1

 Ezekiel 34:1 says, And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,  Again, we aren't told exactly when this was as we sometimes are.   

Verse two adds, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?  God then had a message for the shepherds of Israel.  He said that they were more interested in feeding themselves than they were in caring for their sheep.  This was really a prophecy against the rulers of Israel, who were supposed to shepherd the people and put their welfare above their own.  The same can be said of preachers today, and I believe even of government officials, who should put the welfare of those they are over above their own welfare.   

Verse three continues, Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.  God said that the shepherds ate the fat of the sheep and used their wool to make clothes for themselves, and they killed those who couldn’t be of service to them.  They failed to feed the sheep, which were the source of their comfort.  Some rulers today only care about what is best of themselves and have little or no concern for those they are in a position of power over.   

Verse four states, The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.  Still comparing the leaders of Israel to shepherd, God said they had failed completely in carrying out their duties.  They didn’t take care of the sick, bind the limbs that were broken or seek those that had gone astray.  Taking care of the poor and seeking those who have gone astray is the responsibility of the shepherd of God’s people today, but they are often more interested in what will enrich themselves than they are in caring for the poor and reaching out to those who have gone astray.  I also believe this can apply to governmental leaders in the world today.   

Verse five adds, And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.  God said that when there was no shepherd that the sheep were scattered and became food for the wild beasts.  If the shepherd of the flock of God’s people is not carrying out his responsibility, those that he is responsible for may be scattered into the world and fall prey to many false teachings.   

Verse six continues, My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.   God said that His flock, the people of Israel, were scattered everywhere and no one sought them.  Even though lost people are not a part of God’s flock or people, as Christians it is our responsible to seek all those who are lost and invite them into the family of God.  Also, if a Christian goes astray, we are to seek them and call them back into God’s way.