So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.
Ezekiel 34:5 NIV
In Ezekiel 34, God delivers a sobering rebuke to the shepherds of Israel. These leaders, tasked with guiding and caring for God’s people, had neglected their responsibilities. Instead of strengthening the weak, healing the sick, and seeking the lost, they ruled with harshness and self-interest. As a result, the flock was scattered, vulnerable, and left to be devoured by wild beasts.
God’s words to these shepherds are piercing: “Woe to you, shepherds of Israel, who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” (Ezekiel 34:2, NIV). The imagery is clear—a shepherd exists because of the sheep. Without the flock, his role holds no meaning. Yet these leaders had abandoned their purpose, exploiting the very people God called them to protect.
This passage reveals a profound truth: God holds those in leadership accountable for the well-being of His people. Shepherding is not about power or privilege but about service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the flock’s welfare. When a shepherd prioritises personal gain over his divine calling, he undermines the very essence of his role.
Sadly, this issue goes beyond the pages of Scripture. Many spiritual leaders today have lost sight of their true purpose. Instead of feeding the sheep, they feed off them. Rather than nurturing and guiding, they seek influence, wealth, and comfort at the expense of the flock. This misalignment with God’s purpose is dangerous, not just for the shepherds themselves but for the people under their care.
Ezekiel 34:5-6 paints a dire picture of the consequences: “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered, they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill.” When leaders fail in their calling, people become vulnerable to deception, false doctrines, and spiritual harm. The absence of faithful shepherds creates an opening for the enemy to mislead and destroy.
This realisation weighs heavily on my heart. As a believer, and in whatever capacity God has called us to lead, we must take our responsibility seriously. If Christ died for these people, then our role as shepherds is not optional—it is a divine duty. To neglect it is to risk the eternal well-being of those entrusted to our care.
The call to shepherd God’s people is sacred. We must not take it lightly. To be a faithful servant of Christ, we must remain steadfast, prioritising our calling above personal ambition. Our responsibility is to protect, nurture, and lead as God intends—to ensure that His sheep are fed, strengthened, and safeguarded from harm. May we never lose sight of this calling, and may we always remain faithful to the One who has entrusted us with His flock.