"Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter."
Isaiah 56:11
These are some interesting analogies... and it seems to be all about perspective. The dog analogy starts in the verse previous as well, and along with the shepherd comparison, it seems to be about selfishness and perspective in this verse. Dogs might be limited naturally in their ability to reason and be unselfish... but not shepherds, and with both something else that they are focusing on is blinding them to what is important. And, it is themselves, and their personal gain that is distracting them. Greed, pride, self-interest... and this verse, and more (of course) are suggesting that there is something else out there, beyond our short-sightedness and inward-looking perspective. What is it? Well, this particular verse doesn't say, but it does suggest a way to find out... a way to see something else. And that is focusing elsewhere... on other people, on advancing their welfare, on helping them and expanding our perspective and our boundaries of what we care about and protect. The further we expand that sight-line, the less blind we'll become, and the more we'll be able to understand of God's perspective. Today, let's work on that... instead of being self-concerned today, let's be other-concerned. Not to judge them or require them to meet our standards... but completely other-focused... to listen, learn, help, lift, and love.
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