26/07/12

The Foolish and Worthless Shepherd

Zachariah 11:15-17
15 And the LORD said to me, "Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd.
16 "For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces.
17 "Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye [hand spring]; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye [hand spring] shall be totally blinded [faint]."


In today's message the Lord talks about the foolish shepherd who does not care for the welfare of his sheep. He does not care if the sheep are growing in numbers or are fed properly and in good health. His eyes are also beyond the main purpose of a sheep and the only thing that is on his mind is when he can consume the sheep. Even a worldly man looks at sheep as a source for wool and not for meat, for meat goats are preferred.

The other kind of shepherd the Lord speaks against is the one who leaves the flock, in other words does not care about them. The Lord calls such shepherds as worthless shepherds.

The Lord is talking about those whom He has entrusted His people to care for them and nurture them. The Lord calls those leaders as foolish leaders who have just one purpose and that is to make others leaders under them just for the purpose of feeding their carnal hunger. Some hunger for more finance, some for fame, some for power and other carnal desires. These desires are like a burning furnace inside them and they look out to the leaders they made to shove people's lives to please their fire, like shoving coal in the furnace.

The other leaders who are called worthless are the ones who just dream about occupying a position of Pastor, Bishop or church leader and keep the day to day activity running. Like a pundit does his rituals in a temple so also these people organize services and do the activities of the Church like performing rituals. The Lord calls these people worthless for they will not receive anything for the service they rendered.

The Lord is telling these people the Lord would be against the work of their hand and against their resources. These people will tire in their work and will encounter obstacles every step that they take. Their strength will wither and their resources will grow faint.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, the most important aspect of the shepherd is love. Unless the shepherd really loves his sheep and is not willing to lay his life for his sheep he will not be a good shepherd. A good shepherd never fears for he knows he has his shaft (authority) in his hand not only to chase away the sheep's enemies but also discipline the bad sheep. Lord, we pray for your shepherds that they be not foolish or worthless shepherds. That they honestly do their duty fearfully and with great passion...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
John 10:8-16
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Luke 9:1 - Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils [chase away evil spirits], and to cure diseases [heal sicknesses, diseases and weaknesses].

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)