Word In Life Study Bible
LEADERS SHOULD CARE
Ezek.34:1-2
The “shepherds” of Israel received a “performance review” from God, and it was not good. The leaders were spending most of their energies feeding themselves instead of the flock (34:2–8), and they were giving them nothing but leftovers (34:18–19). Not only were they neglecting the least powerful and most vulnerable among the people—the weak, the sick, the broken, and the refugees—but they were actually taking advantage of them (34:4–6, 21). There was only one remedy for this situation—to remove the leaders from leadership (34:9–10). God Himself would heal the hurting, restore the scattered, and feed His flock (34:11–16).
Centuries later, Jesus prescribed “shepherd leadership” for one of His followers (John 21:15–19). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus had modeled this approach by laying down his life for His sheep (10:11–17).
Security, safety, sufficient supply of necessities, and shared outcomes: these are some of the essentials that good leaders provide for their followers. If you are in a position of leadership in your work, home, church, or community, ask yourself how well you are providing these essentials for the people following you. In what ways could they be better served by you as a leader?
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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