Ezekiel 34:20 -- On Shepherds, Cattle, and Ducks

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle."
Ezekiel 34:20


Part of this chapter denounces the evil shepherds that have neglected and abused the flock, but here it talks specifically about the flock, mentioning later that they have struggled and harmed one another... and obviously some have selfishly prospered at the expense of others.

I remember going with my family to a small "Santa's Village" type place when I was younger, but what I remember about that place wasn't anything about the Christmas decorations or the fun activities, whatever they were... it was the ducks. Captive in that small place, and despite the seemingly abundant food that they would get from tourists, some of the ducks had fought amongst themselves so often that some of the duck's bills were worn away almost completely, while others looked normal. I remember being overwhelmed by the sadness and the brutality of that whole thing... why would some of them gang up on others and maim each other like that? ... It wasn't until today that I realized that we, figuratively, *are* those ducks.

Whatever our circumstances, and whatever the sins of the shepherds, when we treat the people around us badly in order to "get ahead" of them, struggling for title and position... or whatever it is that we covet or lust for... we're the cattle that are going to be judged, and the ducks that are unbelievably cruel as seen by an observer. We might also, if we have any authority over others, have a shepherd problem because we aren't taking care of the people entrusted to us and providing for their needs and ensuring their safety... but either way, we have a cattle problem.

Let's remember that we're in this together, and we need to take care of each other rather than playing power games and stepping on other people trying to fight our way to the top. Let's not be mindlessly cruel as cattle or ducks, but work to protect the vulnerable people around us, find the lost, and nourish the lean. Let's be good shepherds even if we feel like we have no authority at all... we can be our brothers' keeper and an assistant shepherd for God if we choose to be, helping the abused and the forsaken. Whatever we do today, let's do everything we can to help rather than harm.