Ezekiel 34:1-3
This is a scripture the Lord took to me to, It holds I believe some remarkable insight for the season we are currently in
Ezekiel 34:1-3 – Irresponsible Shepherds
“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock”. (NIV)
Here we need to ask the following are we:
feeding the Flock?
sowing into others?
sharing what the Lord is pouring into us?
pouring out or just receiving, collecting and storing up what the Lord gave us?
The Lord gives His Word to us for two reason to refine us and to pour out, restore or guide others. When we do this we will see transformation in our own lives and in the ones around us!
Ezekiel was asked by the Lord to prophesy this revelation to the shepherd of Israel, and this applies to us too. For we may be His (Jesus) sheep, But He has appointed us as Shepherds to the ones He brings into our life! This is clear in the great commission by Jesus before He was taken up and seated on the right hand of Father. ( Matthew 28:16-20)
This very point I believe is one of the enemy’s greatest lies to disempower many, it’s this: we are only His sheep and not appointed as shepherds. The one that receives His word, yet is not the one to share His word.
I’m thinking maybe this has come through religiousculture of church which over the years holds the misthinking that only the pastors Hear and speak God’s Word.
For this thinking creates only a single stream from His word in the House of God, now this may have been true under the law, yet is differently not true now!
Act 2:17 ’In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on ALL people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (NIV)
Joel 2:28 “And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on ALL people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (NIV)
Did you see ALL people?
Yes, we’re in these last days yet we’re not seeing these dreams and vision shared in the churches, why? Peopleare silent because they are too afraid to share, they feel they have no voice! A place to share or a role (title) to share it.
I remember this question a pastor asked me many years ago ‘what did I think about a season decades ago where he saw the prophetic dominate and spiral churches out of control and so prophets were removed from the churches?
I said I wasn’t in church at that time, and added wouldn’t it be better to teach the congregation/ church discernment? So they can weigh the word they receive!
When you remove the prophets from churches you now have one less pillar according to what Paul writes in Ephesians 4 The Five Fold ministry! Also if you have the fivefold ministry apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers they will all provide accountability to each other confirming what the Lord is saying to the church.
For each of these roles are to equip the saints for ministry, so if one part is missing the result is churches without true strength! Yet I understand there are false prophets apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers out there, and I believe I’ve experiencedthese people over the last two decades in walking with the Lord and being in different ministries.
Let’s pause here and pick up going deeper into the Five Fold Ministry next time.
Challenge Time:
1. Pray about how you can share His word for this season we are in! Ask the Father to reveal you anew way He is wanting your to share His word ?
2. Ask the Lord to show you and teach you how to use your voice as it is needed to know what God is saying.
3. Ask for greater discernment for yourself and your church to know what to do with Words received.
4. Worship God for He is Worthy as The Good Shepherd who leads you.
5. Thank Him
Let’s Pray:
Father we pray for Your children Your Shepperd’s who You choose to release your word to. Please give them both the courage and confidence to share it and to provide for Your families in Christ (the Churches) to receive new strategies which teach discernment, and guard against false teaching and prophets. Father also would You allow a space for the whole body to learn they have a voice and their voice is needed!
