What characteristics of leaders are criticized in Isaiah 56:11? Setting the Scene Isaiah 56 addresses the spiritual condition of Israel in the prophet’s day, spotlighting leaders whose conduct undermined the very flock they were called to guide. Verse 11 offers a concise but piercing catalogue of their failings. Isaiah 56:11 “Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each seeking his own gain.” Key Faults Exposed in the Verse • Insatiable appetite – “Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied.” – Leaders were driven by unchecked cravings—whether for wealth, power, comfort, or acclaim—so that no amount ever quenched their hunger (cf. Micah 3:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:9-10). • Lack of discernment – “They are shepherds with no discernment.” – Those responsible for guiding God’s people lacked spiritual perception and practical wisdom (cf. Hosea 4:6; Matthew 15:14). They could not recognize danger, interpret God’s word correctly, or provide sound counsel. • Self-direction, not God-direction – “They all turn to their own way.” – Rather than submitting to the Lord’s path, each pursued whatever seemed right in his own eyes (cf. Judges 21:25; Proverbs 3:5-6). Personal preference replaced divine instruction. • Personal profit as the driving motive – “Each seeking his own gain.” – The office of shepherd became a platform for self-enrichment. Their measure of success was personal benefit, not the welfare of the flock (cf. Ezekiel 34:2-4; 1 Peter 5:2). Connecting Thoughts • The imagery of “dogs” and “shepherds” combines ferocity with negligence—leaders who devour rather than defend. • By placing appetite, ignorance, self-will, and greed side by side, Isaiah shows how a single heart problem overflows into multiple destructive behaviors. • Jesus offers the antithesis: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). He satisfies, understands, obeys the Father’s will, and gives instead of taking. Takeaway Isaiah 56:11 condemns leaders whose relentless greed, spiritual dullness, self-focused direction, and profit-driven motives left God’s people vulnerable. Scripture calls every shepherd—and all believers who influence others—to mirror Christ instead: content, discerning, surrendered, and sacrificial. |
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