Five Fold Ministry 2

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The aim of this devotional Bible Study is to grow in understanding the role of the pastor (“shepherd”).

Scripture

Ezekiel 34:1-16

1  The word of the LORD came to me: 2  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, 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 fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4  The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5  So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. 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 none to search or seek for them.

7  “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8  As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, 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, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require 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, that they may not be food for them.

11  “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12  As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13  And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14  I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15  I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. 16  I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

Observations

This is one of the most powerful Old Testament Texts that describes the heart of God for His people, and also sets our God’s expectation for those who are in positions of leadership over His people.

  1. Carefully read the text and list the accusations the Lord makes against the shepherds of Israel in the days of Ezekiel.
  2. From reading this portion in Ezekiel, what understanding do you gain from the Lord about how he feels towards His people?

Reflections

  1. Ezekiel wrote this section about the task of leadership in the metaphor of a shepherd. So translate these tasks of the leader into contemporary language, with specific reference to the pastor(s) in a local congregation, explain what it refers to and how do you do it:
    1. “feed the sheep”
    2. “strengthen the weak”
    3. “heal this sick”
    4. “bind the injured”
    5. “find the lost and bring back the scattered”
  2. Likewise explain in contemporary language what the Lord condemns in the leaders of Ezekiel’s day:
    1. “3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep.”
    2. “4 … with force and harshness you have ruled them.”  
    3. “6 My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.”

Prayer

Praise God for His tender and loving heart towards His people – AND YOU – displayed in this Text.  Then, in your own words explain to God what you long for in “pastoral care”, reminding the Him that He promised to shepherd His own people.  Then pray for your pastor, that God would stir him to pastor God’s people with patience, tenderness and diligence – as the Lord Himself demonstrated.

[Photo from Daily Telegraph]

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