Consequences of the irresponsible Shepherds
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
A shepherd is someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody. In this context, shepherds are the ordained ministers of God who has been called to look after the flocks of God, the Saint, the redeemed, those who have been saved from the darkness to the marvelous light of God. They teach, guide and instruct the people in the ways and commands of God.
It is very sad today that many shepherds has forsaken the sheep, thereby making the sheep go stray, many has caged the sheep for selfish interest and deny them the truth of the word of God they deserve.
The word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel to prophecy against the irresponsible shepherds of israel
Ezekiel 34:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 34:2 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? 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
This is the picture of a self-centred leadership that was concerned only with their own well-being.
Leaders who are concerned for their own well-being and do not lead by service and example, control by domination. The less they care for the flock , the greater the severity of their domination in other to maintain their base of power and control over the people.
They thus use the sheep as an opportunity to satisfy their own throat for wealth, power, fame and control. These shepherds failed to serve the flock of God.
They bothered about the physical beautification of the church but neglect the spiritual sanitation of the mind of the people
They bothered about the increase in the number of congregation but give less concern about those who are yet to be truly saved.
They compete among themselves on the largest church buildings, schools built etc, which shall be consumed by fire but give less concern about the soul that will live after death.
They shrink dry the members in giving different kinds of offerings, and they provide different bible verses to justify their claim, yet they give less concern about the poor and the needed... Even when they care a little, it was not from their good heart but to get attention and fame. By this many who had been saved before lost hope in Christ after being robbed by those who should saved them..
34:5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 34:6 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.
Many fed the flocks with lies, wrong teachings and fake doctrines that were not established by Christ or God, they captures the mind of the flocks and caged them in darkness.
Thus says the Lord of host, you are irresponsible shepherd.
34:7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 34:8 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;
The Consequences
For every soul you led astray from the truth of God and His command, He will require their blood from you if they die in their ignorance.
34:10 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.
Your reward of being a shepherd will be withheld from you on the last day, because you have been an unprofitable servant to Him.
God will redeem His sheep, He will raise other obedient shepherds who are ready to work diligently for Him, but your path will be lost forever. Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
God's shepherds must lead by service and not by command or self interest.
Check how you have been shepherding the Lord's flock, you pastors, teachers, evangelists, Prophets, Bishops, General Overseers, mentors etc... Have you been shepherding according to the commands and directions of God? Or you have been influenced by the desires of the flesh and deceit of the devil?
The time is now to make amends, tomorrow may be too late, now is the time to look for the lost sheep, now is the time to apologise for the wrong teachings and doctrines you have been feeding the flocks of God.
Remember one day you will give account of your stewardship
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, forgive me for being a irresponsible shepherd to your flock in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give your shepherds the heart to do according to your commands, and save those who are lost already in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.