Thursday, December 23, 1999

Ezekiel 34:3-4,12


"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
. . .
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day."
Ezekiel 34:3-4,12



Another last days scripture... this whole chapter is awesome, really interesting. Talks about how the shepherds that are taking care of the sheep now, probably talking about teaching and leadership... and how in our world, in our country, and even probably in our individual congregations, we don't do enough to take care of the people around us.   Too many people slip through the cracks. The first couple of verses are pretty harsh, talking about how so many times leaders will make use of subjects, or citizens, to gain power and prestige, use the people, but not take care of them. The last verse is the Lord's answer to that... when he rules on the earth, he won't do any of those awful things, he won't neglect or forget any of us. I think, especially in the last days that we are in, it is very cloudy, and very dark... and it is very hard not to get lost. but God will come and find us, and take care of us, and help us.  As shepherds, and as sheep, God leads us and loves us, and even when he is criticizing the way things are, he doesn't just throw up his hands and say, what can be done? ... He shows us how he does things, and gives us hope that things will be better and that the little that we do will make a difference. someday the day will not be cloudy and dark, but bright and perfect, and all of the sheep will be fed, and healed, and cared for.

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