Day 61: Ezekiel 23:40-Ezekiel 35:15 - 90 Day Challenge

The Responsibility of Shepherds 


Good Afternoon! I'd like to preface this post by saying that I will be spending the next 72 hours with my B.A.D. Student Ministries group at a weekend retreat. Because of this, I have decided against posting on Saturday and Sunday due to lack of service and internet access, the core audience will mostly be with me, and because I also don't want to take any time away from the students as they spend the weekend growing with God. So: 

Saturday: Ezekiel 36:1-Ezekiel 47:12
Sunday: Ezekiel 47:13-Daniel 8:27

And I'll see you back on Monday for: 
Monday: Daniel 9:1-Hosea 13:6

Obviously I'll be keeping up with the readings and the post on Monday will just briefly touch on all three days. Thank you all in advance for being so understanding and have a wonderful weekend! 

With that, let's get into the reading! 

So today's reading begins with the death of Ezekiel's wife, and the Lord tells Ezekiel not to mourn, that he is to set an example for the Israelites, since they are not to mourn the loss of their nation. 

From there, the reading is filled with prophecies against various nations, including Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Tyre. As well as Sidon, and Egypt. 

The Lord then explicitly discusses the fall of Jerusalem and we are brought to Shepherds and Sheep. 

An entire chapter is dedicated to Shepherds. Chapter 35 begins with some serious shade--"Woe to the shepherds who take care of only themselves!" Here, God is referring to the corrupt leaders of Israel, who've left their people in the dust and have set an example of sin and evil. He goes on to say that the "shepherds" use the "sheep" for all that they could give, their "wool and slaughter," but did not care for them! That the weak haven't been helped, nor sick or injured, that the strays haven't been brought back to the flock, which is now scattered all about. This first part is dedicated to how to be a leader--how to be a shepherd. A leader who is not strong, who does not take care of the people, who does not bring back the lost, is not any sort of leader at all, and will bring nothing but misery and despair to the people. 

The Lord continues to say that the shepherds will be held accountable for the flock! And that the Lord will remove the sheep from the mouth of the shepherds, so it will no longer be "food" for them. God comes in to save the day! 

Then we're brought to this lovely verse, Ezekiel 34:11:

The Lord will look after His sheep. And take care of them Himself. He will rescue them when they are scattered amid clouds and darkness. He will tend to them in good, green pastures. He will search for the lost and bring back the strays, caring for the injured and weak. 

From there, He will judge between one sheep and another. He will make a covenant of peace. 

That's where I'm going to leave it for today! Sorry this post is so brief, I'm trying to get all the last minute pieces put together! 

Tomorrow's reading: Ezekiel 36:1-Ezekiel 47:12
Sunday's reading: Ezekiel 47:13-Daniel 8:27
Monday's reading: Daniel 9:1-Hosea 13:6
Have a wonderful weekend and I'll catch you Monday! 

Jillian Jafarace
Director of Student Ministries
New Leaf UMC

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