"Fat, Lazy Shepherds" September 23 Readings: Isaiah 56-57, 2 Corinthians 8:1–15, Psalm 107:22–28, Proverbs 23:22–23

Today's Readings -  Isaiah 56-57, 2 Corinthians 8:1–15, Psalm 107:22–28, Proverbs 23:22–23

Devotional 

I was preaching in Africa back in 1988, teaching Tanzanian church leaders basic principles of ministry. I was trying to explain the pastor's role to them, so I thought I would use an illustration they could identify with. "A pastor is a shepherd," I said. Jonathan, my interpreter, look at me quizzically. "In Swahili," he said. "They are the same word." If we spoke Swahili, I would be the Senior Shepherd of Southern Hills Baptist Church. That is actually very common. The word pastor comes from a root word that means shepherd.

The Bible has a lot to say about shepherds, both good and bad. Shepherds who lead their people faithfully are worthy of honor and respect. But in the Old Testament, God reserved his harshest words not for the sinful people of Israel and Judah but for the shepherds, the leaders, the false prophets and unfaithful priests who failed to shepherd the people in the ways of God. The judgment on the sinful nation was magnified and multiplied onto the shepherds because they did not do their jobs.

Sheep are helpless prey and must be protected from the spiritual predators who wish to devour them. They must be fed and guided on the paths of righteousness. A godly shepherd must be unselfish, willing to sacrifice his own needs for the needs of the sheep, to give of himself, even to lay down his life for them.

Not so the shepherds of Israel. Look at Isaiah 56:9-12, in which God levels a series of charges against those who should have been leading Israel toward God, but had abandoned their duty. Verse 9 drips with sarcasm.

All you animals of the field and forest,
come and eat!

The chief role of the shepherd is to protect the sheep, but these "watchmen" were asleep on the job. Israel had become prey, a smorgasbord for anyone who would lead them astray. Too many pastors today are afraid to identify sin or expose false teaching. We've bought into the false message of tolerance that says we ought never criticize another's beliefs or doctrines. When we refuse to hold up the biblical standard of truth, we are inviting the beasts of the field to devour the flock of God.

Verse 11 vividly identifies the source of the problem.

These dogs have fierce appetites;
they never have enough.
And they are shepherds
who have no discernment;
all of them turn to their own way,every last one for his own profit.

A shepherd of God's people must be a man of understanding, one who operates on the Divine agenda for the good of God's sheep. But these are "dogs" - a word usually used to describe people who operate by their instincts and passions. They seek to exploit the sheep instead of serving the sheep. They don't understand the will and ways of God, but only their own desires and passions. They serve their own needs, their own gain, 

And the end result of that is always disastrous. Israel suffered because its shepherds were selfish, without understanding of the ways of God, and unwilling to stand up to protect them from spiritual predators. They fell prey to sin. 

I realize that this lesson applies more to the author of this devotional than it does to most of the readers. But if you are a leader, serve God and serve the people. If you have a shepherd who serves faithfully, thank God and lift up that shepherd before the Lord. 

Raise up, O Lord, for the churches of this land, faithful shepherds to lead your people. 

Think and Pray

If God has given you authority or leadership over anyone, are you "shepherding" them carefully, using your authority to bless and help?
Remember that God holds leaders accountable!