Ezekiel 34:7

Ezekiel 34:7 says, Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; God called on the shepherds, those who were supposed to be leading the people of Israel by God’s commandments to hear His word.  The shepherds, or pastors, of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the people of God today, should always hear God’s word if they are going to proclaim the truth.   

Verse eight adds, As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;  God said that His sheep had become the prey of the beasts of the field because His shepherds had not defended them but only looked to enrich themselves.  They also didn’t look for the lost sheep but were only concerned with themselves.  I believe this is a warning to preachers today that they need to be concerned with guiding their congregation according to God’s word and not be interested in just enriching themselves.   

Verse nine continues, Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;  God once more called on the shepherds to hear His word, this time as a warning to them about their disobedience.  I believe that God will always warn Christian leaders today if they are proclaiming something other than His truth and are more interested in their wealth than they are in their congregation and teaching them the truth of God's word.   

Verse ten concludes, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.  God told the shepherds that He was against them because of their disobedience to His word and that He would deliver the flock from their mistreatment of them.  If followers of Christ are listening to God, they will know when a preacher or teacher is proclaiming something other than God’s word, and He will lead them away from that person if they will only listen.