When studying and meditating on Ezekiel 34:1-6, the word that comes to mind is “selfishness”.
According to Webster’s Dictionary; to be selfish means: to be concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul gives an admonishment for the Saints:
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better that himself and to look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others”
In Ezekiel 34, the prophet uses the term “shepherd” which in the Hebrew dictionary [Strong’s 7462] means “to tend a flock, pasture, graze, to rule, to associate with, and feed”. Shepherd speaks figuratively of pastors, overseers, bishops, elders, and ministers alike.
God is against such individuals who are not handling their responsibilities properly for the flock. He wants us to be careful not to consider ourselves before the ministry and not to give into the pleasures of the flesh; which has a penchant or fondness towards things that are contrary to the Word of God. He has called each one of us to be not only disciples but servants one to another regardless of what your place, position, role, job, gifting’s or calling’s are.
In John 21:1-25, Jesus appears to the disciples and dines with them. Out of that time of awesome fellowship with the Lord, He speaks directly to Simon Peter, asking him 3 questions all centered around; his love for Jesus. From Simon Peter’s response, Jesus says…”Feed my lambs, Feed my sheep and Feed my sheep”.
If we’re going to be effective in the kingdom; a pure love for God, and the love of God in our hearts, has to be the foundation by which one approaches ministry. Souls are figuratively His lambs and His sheep and not ours. We have no authority to lord over them as if they are our property; but the authority we have been given, is to serve them, feed them (i.e., teaching), and tend to them so that they can go from being a young lamb (babes in Christ); to a sheep and to keep growing as a sheep towards perfection, maturity, and holiness.
God does not want absentee shepherds, getting credit for a ministry or a following that they are not working to prosper and guide according to the Word of God. That is a massive problem today, where shepherds are parading themselves in the ministry as if they made the ministry as if they died for the sins of the world. We are to be humble and show the love of God. Where are the shepherds who have a pure desire to shepherd the flock accordingly? God does not want shepherds to take what belongs to the flock for themselves, as it will become of no effect to them. What I mean is that shepherds are to feed the lambs and sheep with what God is feeding the shepherd. If the shepherd doesn’t spend time with the Lord then they essentially have nothing to offer; and no wonder why the flock is languishing in sin, depressions, unforgiveness, and complacency…amongst other things.
These verses also speak of “irresponsibility”. To be irresponsible means to not be trustworthy with something that requires diligence, oversight, and care. As believer’s we have a monumental responsibility because God has entrusted us with something valuable, something very costly, the souls and lives of mankind. He expects us to take it seriously and to have high esteem for it.
Finally, in 1 Corinthians 4:2, Paul says “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”. According to the scriptures, some would not be fit, suited, equipped, or called to be in leadership let alone in the ministry. It takes more than charisma, poise, connections, and money but rather it takes the anointing of God, and power of the Holy Spirit to work through us.
Ponder this…where do you stand?