Brothers' Keepers

Then this message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them. [Ezekiel 34.1-6]

I suppose these words are not for everyone. It only makes sense that they wouldn't be. However, these words ARE for someone. It only makes sense that they are.

So, who are these words for? The shepherds, the leaders of Israel.

I furthermore suppose, we could surmise that since Ezekiel was clear on the object of his writing above, that we can merely look at this writing as historical data. Or, we can open our eyes and ears to see what, if anything, our Father might be saying to us today. (I believe this is why we have the Bible today anyway)

Who are leaders today? Well, it could be our elected officials and public servants. But is it limited to these? Probably not as there are many other realms in which we find those who "lead." Two places come to my mind: school and church.

With the above statement in mind, it would also make sense that we actually are surrounded by many who lead. In fact, many are leading who are completely unaware that they are being followed (i.e. fathers and mothers, etc.).

The message then to me is that most all of us lead to some degree. And, if we indeed lead, then we are responsible for others. The responsibility we have for others makes us liable for not only their outcome, but ours as it relates to theirs.

This message is clear: we are to care for others as our responsibility. It is simply not good enough to say, "to each his own." No, we are indeed our brothers' keepers.

Nothing addresses this responsibility more importantly than prayer. Yes, we are to actively participate in the well-being of people, but not in our own strength, but our Father's - and we gain His strength through prayer.

Father, help us all to understand the responsibility we have toward one another.