“Good News For The Sheep!”

“Good News For The Sheep!”(Ez.34:1-10).
We have reared some few local hens and cocks. When the hens hatch, we take the chicks from them so that the kites should not pick them. We also have a dog and some pigs. These creatures have a budget. We buy dog food and nutritious feeds for the fowls and pigs. Each morning, we make sure they are fed before thinking of ourselves.
Considering all the expenditure and care of the animals we rear, there is a common saying that “we claim that we rear animals, while it is the animals that rear us.”
I have cited the above for the benefits of those who may see shepherding only as owning flock or working for a cattlerearer.
If cattle is an investment, one has to put in capital, time, and labour to be able to make a profit. There are times that the cry of a piglet rushes you out of any comfort or rest to go find out what is amiss in the sty.
Leaders are shepherds. Leadership here includes parents and leaders in both the sacred and secular domians. The word “pastor” refers to animal husbandry.
As a verb, pastor “is used more commonly to describe the function of pastoring or shepherding. The noun means ‘one who shepherds,’ and ‘one who serves as guardian or leader.’
The Sovereign LORD assured the exiles that he was to become their shepherd. The shepherds he placed over them had misplaced and even abused their priorities.
When shepherds only take care of themselves, they eat the curds, clothe themselves with wool, and slaughter the choice animals, but they do not take care of the flock.
The weak of the flock needs strengthening, the sick needs to be attended to, and the injured has to be bound up. The strayed sheep has to be brought back, and the lost has to be searched for. Failure to do all these is bad shepherding.
The spate of African emigration, which has become the reason for thousands of both illegal and legal African immigrants in the USA, is mostly caused by bad shepherding of African shepherds in both the secular and sacred spheres. Increasing moral decadence, high scale corruption of sorts, and indecency are the results of spiritual absence, improper hometraining, and societal leadership misdirection.
Today, as we begin the series of shepherding, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.”
Dear friend, are you a shepherd? What kind of shepherd are you? Are you a sheep? Be comforted and rejoice that the LORD is now your shepherd. You shall not want because he will supply your needs. He will prepare a feast for you and seat your enemies across to watch your overflowing cup! Cheer up!
Sunday prayer: LORD, thank you for being our good shepherd in any weather condition. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
04/05/2025.