God had strong words for the negligent and greedy shepherds of Israel, those God had appointed to guide, protect, and instruct God's people. It would not be a stretch at all to compare the roles of the priests and Levites to the role of ministers in the church today which provides valuable personal application. Instead of lording over people, the sanctified priests were to serve God and the people faithfully. A shepherd was responsible to lead sheep to good and safe pasture, and pastors are to present the wholesome Word of God to strengthen and nourish the sheep of God's pasture.
A couple of times in the passage God told the ministers He would judge between sheep and sheep, between cattle and cattle (depending on the translation). Instead of having many shepherds, one shepherd (the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ) would be placed over them all. See what is written in Ezekiel 34:20-22: "'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, 22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep."
Christians are all sheep of God's pasture, and in Christ's fold are sheep of all kinds: sheep which are fat and healthy, sheep which are lean, weak, and sickly. A shepherd took extra care with unhealthy sheep, but the issue God had was with the stronger sheep pushing against and butting the weakened sheep to scatter them. These sheep were not hopeless because God would save them, but the sheep who were doing the butting and preying on the weak He would judge. Instead of driving away the weak and sickly from fellowship, we ought to provide patient, long-suffering, and gracious care.
To apply this to pastoral leadership, I am reminded of a verse in the Law which held owners responsible for not taking action to correct violent tendencies of their animals. Whilst ministers are not responsible to answer for the actions of others, there is a principle held forth those prone to do damage should be marked and adequate protection provided for others. Exodus 21:28-29 says, "If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. 29 But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death." God held owners of oxen accountable for what they knew: if an owner realised his ox tended towards violence, he was responsible to keep it in a paddock to protect others.
The application is similar for Christians in leadership who have learned over time the character of their fellow believers. Paul wrote in Romans 16:17, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them." We have a responsibility before God to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, and should we notice butting and conflict amongst us we should protect the weak. Those who expend a great deal of energy on the lookout for potential troublemakers may themselves be the fat and aggressive rams they are looking for. I am eternally grateful Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, and all in His fold are under His loving and righteous authority. Having a healthy relationship with our Good Shepherd helps guide our words and conduct between sheep and sheep.
A couple of times in the passage God told the ministers He would judge between sheep and sheep, between cattle and cattle (depending on the translation). Instead of having many shepherds, one shepherd (the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ) would be placed over them all. See what is written in Ezekiel 34:20-22: "'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: "Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, 22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep."
Christians are all sheep of God's pasture, and in Christ's fold are sheep of all kinds: sheep which are fat and healthy, sheep which are lean, weak, and sickly. A shepherd took extra care with unhealthy sheep, but the issue God had was with the stronger sheep pushing against and butting the weakened sheep to scatter them. These sheep were not hopeless because God would save them, but the sheep who were doing the butting and preying on the weak He would judge. Instead of driving away the weak and sickly from fellowship, we ought to provide patient, long-suffering, and gracious care.
To apply this to pastoral leadership, I am reminded of a verse in the Law which held owners responsible for not taking action to correct violent tendencies of their animals. Whilst ministers are not responsible to answer for the actions of others, there is a principle held forth those prone to do damage should be marked and adequate protection provided for others. Exodus 21:28-29 says, "If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. 29 But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death." God held owners of oxen accountable for what they knew: if an owner realised his ox tended towards violence, he was responsible to keep it in a paddock to protect others.
The application is similar for Christians in leadership who have learned over time the character of their fellow believers. Paul wrote in Romans 16:17, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them." We have a responsibility before God to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, and should we notice butting and conflict amongst us we should protect the weak. Those who expend a great deal of energy on the lookout for potential troublemakers may themselves be the fat and aggressive rams they are looking for. I am eternally grateful Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, and all in His fold are under His loving and righteous authority. Having a healthy relationship with our Good Shepherd helps guide our words and conduct between sheep and sheep.
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