Lost Sheep and Poor Shepherding

DAY 227
5-16-10
JEREMIAH 49-50


Good Morning!

Most of the Bible is written during a time of pastoral and agrarian-based societies. Therefore, the parables and metaphors used to teach mirror the times. Sheep, then, are often used as examples of the wandering people of God.

Sheep are so intent on grazing that they can wander off and be lost before they know it. They happily munch away until they finally look up and they are by themselves and defenseless. It’s one thing to wander off by being careless; it’s quite another to be led astray. God places blame on the ones who should be watching over the wandering and lost nation of Israel. The leaders failed them.

Jer. 50:6-7 "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their true pasture, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.' "

Elders, ministers, and parents have a lot of responsibility to lead God’s people in ways of righteousness. We must be careful; vigilant; and responsible. We must take care of God’s sheep with every tool and every method that will help us account for every single sheep.

I love Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15. When the sheep wanders off, the shepherd searches for it; finds it; lovingly carries it home; and rejoices over it.

Elders, ministers, and parents…we are responsible. The great shepherd watches over us; and we must watch over the sheep as well. It’s a full time job. There is no better job around.

Barry

For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)