GOOD SHEPHERDS vs BAD SHEPHERDS
With so many prophetic voices declaring heavy words this year of judgment against the Church, I’ve been seeking the LORD during this fasting season for specifics. Nineveh was doomed for judgment, but when the prophetic warning came they heeded it. They and even their animals fasted in heart-felt repentance and God turned away his wrath. We have the same hope available to us to. Below are identifiers that can help with targeted repentance. A note to make is that fathers are to be good shepherds of their families also, so repent as need. God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He desires mercy over judgment if we will only humble ourselves and reach out for that mercy.
PURPOSE OF SHEPHERDS
– to feed cattle and to bring their flocks to living pastures and water them. (Gen 46:32)
– Emulate THE Shepherd, the stone of Israel (Gen 49:24)
– A man set over the congregation which may go out before them and go in before them, which may lead them out and bring them in. (Num 27:16-17)
TWO TYPES OF SHEPHERDS:
BAD SHEPHERDS:
– Drive away other shepherds and other flocks from precious water because they’re not part of THEIR group, they want to control the resources, corner the market. (ex 2:17)
– Like a lion roaring on his prey, a multitude of shepherds come together and belittle/degrade those who seek the LORD for help (Is 31:4)
– They are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (Is 56:11)
– Howl, ye shepherds, and cry (for refusing to turn away from their evil ways, their idolatry, and the work of their hands); and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture. (Jer 25:5-7, 34-36)
– Their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. (Jer 50:6)
– The LORD will use Israel as his battle axe and weapons of war to break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; rendering unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight. (Jer 51:19-24)
– Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (Ez 34:2)
– Judgment shall fall upon the shepherds of Israel that:
-> Feed themselves but not the flock,
-> Who eat the holy offerings that belongs strictly to the LORD
-> Clothe themselves with the works of the flesh,
-> Killing those who are mature enough to feed themselves (because they feel threatened)
-> Refusing to feed the immature ones.
-> Failed to strengthen the diseased
-> Failed to heal the sick
-> Failed to bind up the broken
-> Failed to bring again that which was driven away
-> Failed to seek that which was lost
-> With force and cruelty have ye ruled God’s sheep. (Ez 34:1-6)
– The consequence to bad shepherds will be that God will cease them from feeding the flock, neither shall they feed themselves anymore. The LORD will deliver His flock from their mouth, that they may not be provision for them anymore. Their glory will be spoiled. his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. (Ez 34:10, Zech 11:3, Zech 11:17)
– They are spiritually asleep. (Nahum 3:18)
GOOD SHEPHERDS
– Serve others occasionally in a team effort as needed (Gen 29)
– They have authority (carry a staff) and know how to use it. They are skilled in doing spiritual warfare to guard and protect their flock by releasing the Word. (sling & stones). (1 Sam 17:40)
– Provide for the sheep so that they shall not want. (Ps 23:1)
– Their wise words are as a spiked stick used to urge on cattle and as nails planted/established by the husband/Master of the congregation (Ecc 12:11)
– Shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. (Jer 23:4)
– They gather and keep their flock. (Jer 31:10)
– They lead their flocks to a place where they feel protected and safe enough to lay down and rest (Jer 33:12)
– Duties of the Good Shepherd:
-> Search my scattered sheep and seek them out
-> Deliver them out of the all places where they have been scattered in darkness.
-> Bring them out from the peoples and nations and bring them into their own land
-> Feed them good pasture upon the high mountains of Israel, in safety as they lie down.
-> Seek that which was lost
-> Bring again that which was driven away
-> Bind up the broken
-> Strengthen the sick
-> Destroy the stout and proud, feeding them with judgment.
-> Save the flock so that they will no more be a prey
-> Cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land
-> The sheep shall dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods, and none shall make them afraid
-> They and the places round about His hill will be a blessing, bringing showers of blessing. (Ez 34:11-28)
– Divide the sheep from the goats (Matt 25:32)
– Abide in the field with their sheep, and keep watch over their flocks by night, not merely during the day (Luke 2:8)
– He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (John 10:2)
– The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11)
– A good shepherd knows his sheep and are known by his. (John 10;14)
CHARACTERISTICS OF SHEPHERDS
– Abominations to Egyptians (those who dwell in bondage) (Gen 46:34)
– Potential to live in the place of fruitfulness and intimacy with the LORD during famine times. (Gen 46:34)
– Generational calling (both we and our fathers before us were shepherds) (Gen 47:3)
– Apostles/Prophets (Moses) will create access for the good shepherds to do their job efficiently, where bad shepherds have previous blocked access (Ex 2:16-17)
– Feed their flocks, gathering the lambs with his arm, and carrying them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Is 40:11)
– Shepherds are to answer to the Sheep Owner – the LORD, and shall perform all His pleasure, not their own (Is 44:28)
– Shepherds will stand before God (Jer 49:19)
– Jesus is the shepherd of shepherds. (Ps 23:1)
– They all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. (Ez 37:24)
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