Shepherds are put over a flock to protect and care for them. As such, a shepherd is a beautiful picture of human leadership and its use pre-dates even Biblical literature. It spoke to ancient people as a familiar part of the culture. People flourish under a good shepherd.
Ezekiel 34 gives a vivid picture of what leadership gone bad looks like. What can we learn from Israel’s failed leadership?
Put the flock first
Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 34:2
This is the first rebuke and it is repeated again later in the chapter. The leaders were only taking care of themselves. This flies in the face of servant leadership modeled by our Good Shepherd.
Care for the flock
You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. 34:4
Ezekiel says they failed to help those who were hurting and most vulnerable. They turned a blind eye to their pain and suffering instead of tending to it. What we call pastoral care is a vital part of a leader’s role. A good shepherd is caring and offers comfort.
Practice diligence
You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. 34:4
This feels to me as not only a lack of caring, but also smacks of laziness. To go out and search for those in the flock that have strayed away takes effort. It can pull the shepherd away from his own comfort, but it is necessary, as the lamb will rarely wander back into the flock on his own once separated. For the leader, taking a personal interest in those who have wandered away takes a sacrifice of time and maybe comfort - but it is relationship, love and the work of the Spirit that will draw them back.
Lead with gentleness and humility
You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 34:4
It is easy to extract obedience with overt power. It makes me think of some of the churches today that are rooted in legalism and control. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, was full of truth AND grace. They are not opposites but must go hand in hand.
Fulfill your duties
You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 34:3
Leadership has many responsibilities, but there can also be honor, recognition, and even some monetary rewards. Ezekiel rebuked the shepherds for taking the perquisites without the responsibilities. They took the wool and milk and even fed on the sheep. All of which are benefits of having the flock, but they failed to meet the responsibilities that go with it. And the sheep fled, scattered away from the shepherd.
If God has tasked you as a leader over His people – take it seriously. He is watching. Don’t steal the perks without fulfilling your duty. Work out your calling with generosity, care, diligence and gentleness. And bless you for your sacrifice.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4
