Text: Matthew 9:36
Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd
Ezekiel 34:1-10 - And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. 5 And they were scattered, because thee is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. 7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; 8 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; 9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; 10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves ay more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
II. The Judgment on False Shepherds
The word is against (not for) the shepherds (vs 2, 10).
Woe is pronounced on them (vs 2).
They feed themselves and not the flock (vs 2, 3).
They eat the fat, take the wool, kill the sheep instead of feeding (vs 3).
They did not care for the sick, the diseased, broken, lost and driven away sheep (vs 4).
They ruled with force and cruelty as lords and dictators (vs 4).
The sheep were scatted as having no shepherds (vs 5).
The beast devoured them (vs 5).
The Sheep became wandering sheep and none sought for them (vs 6).
God will require his sheep at our hands (vs 10).
The Howling of the voice of shepherds is heard when this happens (Zechariah 11/3-9, 11-17; Jeremiah 25:34-28; 50:43, 44).
God's anger is kindled against three shepherds (Zechariah 10/3) and will judge them by the sword.
The Pastor will be one whose voice the sheep recognize. There will be that inner sense that he has the voice of the Spirit in him - John 10:3
The Pastor will be sensitive to the sheep. he will "sit where they sit" and identify with them (Ezekiel 3:15; Job 2:13).
The Pastor will lead the sheep into fresh pastures of the Word
The Pastor will go before his sheep as a leader and the sheep are happy to follow him, (TO THE CROSS)
The Pastor will have love and compassion for the sheep. He will love them and they will love him.
Love will not be legislated but generated. it will be reciprocal (Matthew 9:35-28; Mark 6:34).
The Pastor will not Lord over the sheep he will bring healing to the sheep through Christ
The Pastor will carry the lambs when needed (Isaiah 40:11, 29; John 16:12; Mark 4:33).
The Pastor will use the measuring rod in love on his sheep (Leviticus 27:32; Jeremiah 33:13; Ezekiel 20:37; I Corinthians 4:21).
The Pastor will seek God for fruitfulness and increase. Sheep beget sheep (Genesis 0:25-43; 31:1-16).
The Pastor will watch against all forms of attack. The enemy will seek to smite the shepherd in order to scatter the sheep.
He is a Watchman (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31).
The Pastor will be the gatherer of God's people and not say, do or allow things that scatter the sheep (Isaiah 40:11; Luke 11:23; Matthew 12:30).
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