Peter wrote, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:21). Great men of God, whom God chose to be His Prophets, were given messages to His children concerning great Biblical truths. Sometimes, these messages were directed toward the leaders of God’s people. God often warned leaders to be careful how they lead His people.
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 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? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 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. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. (Ezekiel 34:1-5).
These Shepherds were leaders in name only. They did not care for the people; they only wanted to fill their own bellies, and thus they were not good leaders. Isaiah said, “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, And they are shepherds that cannot understand: They all look to their own way, Every one for his gain, from his quarter” (Isa. 56:11).
Great leaders will always put others above their own needs. Because of the lack of leadership, God’s children suffered greatly. Harry S. Truman said, “In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”1 James C. Hunter said, “…leaders who do not hold their people accountable to a set standard are, in effect, thieves and liars. Thieves because they are stealing from the stockholder who pays them to hold people accountable, and liars because they pretend that everything is OK with their people when in fact everything is not OK.”2 God said concerning His people, “And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered” (Ezekiel 34:5).
As a result of not caring for His children, God pronounced a woe on the shepherds. “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 any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them” (Ezekiel 34:10).
When God places responsibilities upon His leaders, He expects them to fulfill these duties and watch out for those under their leadership. When this does not happen, He will hold them accountable.
As those of old were under obligation to care for God’s people, so are God’s shepherds today. Paul warned the Shepherds of the church in Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:28,29).
Notice they were to feed the church. The word “feed” is from poimaino, meaning “shepherd.” “Sense: to rule – shepherd – to rule over a group of people, conceived of as tending sheep.”
Those who do not attend to their duties as shepherds of God’s people will suffer severe consequences. Jeremiah wrote, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD” (Jer. 23:1,2). Yes, the flock will suffer, but make no mistake, God will hold every shepherd accountable for not caring for His flock.
What is needed today is the same thing that was necessary in the days of the prophets: great leaders. Today, the church needs men who will stand in the gap and shepherd God’s people, pointing them to heaven.