“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16)
Ezekiel preached an oracle condemning the shepherds of Judah, the kings and priests who had failed to fulfill their responsibility to rule with righteousness. The Kings of Judah failed in their role as spiritual leaders as did the Temple priests. Instead they lived for themselves. They abused the people of God to increase their own prosperity and prestige. In addition, they led them into idolatry and wickedness.
Through Ezekiel, the Lord followed His condemnation with a promise that He would install a good shepherd over His people. This shepherd would care for the flock, protect them from external dangers and internal dissent, lead them to good pasture and clean water, search for and bring back strays and care for the weak and sick. These words give us great comfort in these chaotic days for they describe the Lord’s perfect shepherd, the Messiah, Jesus our Lord and Savior who rules over us. He cares for us in love. In Him all believers have unity and peace despite their ethnic, national, racial or political origins and affiliations and differences.
Those worldly leaders, in the Government or the media, sports or entertainment, these are not the ones who can bring such comfort and peace. These leaders and cultural icons are fallible sinners just like we are, so, although we may be tempted in our politically divisive times to apply this condemnation to these leaders, such an application, though relevant, does not fit the purpose of this oracle. Although our political leaders are called to govern with equity and righteousness, a calling which many have failed to fulfill, we ought not to look to them for moral or spiritual guidance. That calling is to be fulfilled by the church, its pastors, leaders, teachers, , in fact, every believer. We are each called to fulfill the Lord’s calling. Our moral and spiritual light and example comes not from government and political leaders, but from the Word of God, from Jesus Himself.