How can Ezekiel 34:7 guide church leaders in caring for their flock? Setting the Scene “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:” (Ezekiel 34:7). Ezekiel 34 opens with God confronting Israel’s leaders—called “shepherds”—for feeding themselves while neglecting the sheep. Verse 7 interrupts the indictment with a summons: before God speaks further judgment, the shepherds must listen. That single command still rings in the ears of every pastor, elder, and ministry leader today. “Hear the Word of the LORD” – First Priority • Leadership begins with listening. A shepherd who hasn’t listened to God cannot speak for God. • Personal intake of Scripture must outweigh administrative noise. (Deuteronomy 6:6; 2 Timothy 3:16–17) • Teach only what you have first absorbed; let the flock sense that you live under the same authority you proclaim. (Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Timothy 4:16) • Listening also means responding—submitting plans, programs, and traditions to the searching light of God’s Word. Accountability Before God • The call to “hear” precedes a sobering reckoning (vv. 8–10). Every shepherd answers to the Chief Shepherd. (Hebrews 13:17; James 3:1) • Authority in the church is delegated, never owned. Steward it humbly, knowing the Owner will inspect the flock—and the shepherds. • Regular self-examination keeps minor neglects from becoming chronic abuse. Listening Leads to Loving Care When shepherds truly hear God, their care mirrors His heart: • Feed the flock—provide a steady diet of Scripture, not personal opinion. (John 21:15-17) • Protect—warn against predators: false teachers, divisive spirits, worldly ideologies. (Acts 20:28-31) • Guide—direct sheep toward Christlike maturity, offering clear paths of discipleship. (Colossians 1:28) • Restore—pursue the straying, bind the injured, strengthen the weak. (Luke 15:4-7; Isaiah 40:11) Practical Steps for Modern Servants • Schedule unhurried time in the Word before scheduling meetings. • Let congregational needs shape sermons and ministries, but let Scripture shape your response to those needs. • Build a leadership team committed to mutual accountability; keep Ezekiel 34 on the table. • Evaluate programs: Do they feed and protect, or merely entertain? • Model sacrificial service—be the first to arrive, last to leave, ready to wash feet. (Mark 10:45) • Address discipline biblically and compassionately; neglected sin endangers the whole flock. Assurance and Hope The burden is heavy, yet the promise is sweeter: “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4). Hear Him now, serve His sheep well, and look forward to His commendation. |
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