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"You do not feed the flock"

Text: Ezekiel 34:3

ABUSE OF AUTHORITY

The Lord revealed a list of abuses the shepherds of Israel had committed. These sinful activities led to the collapse of the nation. God held these shepherds responsible.

“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool;
you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.
The weak you have not strengthened,
nor have you healed those who were sick,
nor bound up the broken,
nor brought back what was driven away,
nor sought what was lost;
but with force and cruelty you
have ruled them.”
Ezekiel 34:3-4

1. A short list of abuses.

a) “You eat the fat”

i) The leaders indulge themselves.

ii) They were more concerned about themselves than of the flock.

b) “Clothe yourselves with the wool”

i) The shepherds took advantage of the sheep.

ii) They were more interested in the wool than in their sheep.

c) “You slaughter the fatlings”

i) The shepherds killed their sheep.

ii) They chose the best sheep and ate them.

d) “You do not feed the flock”

i) Feeding the flock should be their primary concern.

ii) These wicked shepherds did not care about the flock at all.

2. Further observations about what the shepherd did not do.

a) “The weak you have not strengthened”

i) The weak were neglected.

ii) They were not cared for.

b) “Nor have you healed those who were sick”

i) No attention was given to the sick.

ii) They were left to fend for themselves.

c) “Nor bound up the broken”

i) Those who were broken were not helped.

ii) They had to live as best as they could.

d) “Nor brought back what was driven away”

i) Some were driven away.

ii) They were not sought after and brought back.

e) “Nor sought what was lost”

i) Some were lost.

ii) But no effort was made to seek them.

3. Ruling with cruelty.

a) The shepherds used physical force to rule the people.

b) They abused the authority invested in them.