And the word of the LORD came unto Ezekiel, introducing the Lord's message to him. In it he was commanded to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, against unfaithful shepherds. The verses that follow expose their failure to care for the flock, showing shepherds feeding and serving themselves instead of caring for the flock. The Lord calls those shepherds to account and announces His judgment upon them. At the same time He promises Himself to seek out His sheep and to heal and strengthen them.
The chapter thus opened is to be read as a warning against becoming an unfaithful shepherd. Its rebuke applies to ministers who reject truth that requires self-denial, who accept only those parts of God's Word that suit their practice, and who trample God's law. By contrast faithful shepherds receive the truth that sustains the flock and give it to them.
The chapter it introduces is to be studied by each person individually to know what the Spirit saith unto the churches and what the Lord requires. That individual study is for forming character after the divine likeness, for being daily converted, for watching and praying and trusting in the living Word. It is for preparing with joy to meet the Lord when He comes in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. Such study brings discernment not to place oneself under the influence of one who has apostatized, while holding that if such a one turns and does that which is lawful and right, none of his sins shall be mentioned unto him but he shall surely live.
And the word of the LORD came unto Ezekiel, introducing the Lord's message to him. In it he was commanded to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, against unfaithful shepherds. The verses that follow expose their failure to care for the flock, showing shepherds feeding and serving themselves instead of caring for the flock. The Lord calls those shepherds to account and announces His judgment upon them. At the same time He promises Himself to seek out His sheep and to heal and strengthen them.
The chapter thus opened is to be read as a warning against becoming an unfaithful shepherd. Its rebuke applies to ministers who reject truth that requires self-denial, who accept only those parts of God's Word that suit their practice, and who trample God's law. By contrast faithful shepherds receive the truth that sustains the flock and give it to them.
The chapter it introduces is to be studied by each person individually to know what the Spirit saith unto the churches and what the Lord requires. That individual study is for forming character after the divine likeness, for being daily converted, for watching and praying and trusting in the living Word. It is for preparing with joy to meet the Lord when He comes in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. Such study brings discernment not to place oneself under the influence of one who has apostatized, while holding that if such a one turns and does that which is lawful and right, none of his sins shall be mentioned unto him but he shall surely live.