The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 202

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-10.-Shepherds denounced. I. THEm RESPONSIBILITY. Ezekiel now turns from the people to their leaders. Theirs is the greatest guilt. They were placed in posi- tions which led to much being expected of them. Their failure means a correspond- ing guilt. The princes and priests, the political leaders and the religious teachers,. would be included under the designation" shepherds." The same two classes and other varieties may be seen to-day; i.e. political rulers, Christian ministers, leaders of public movements, public writers; all who influence others in thought and life are like Israel's. shepherds. Note the grounds of the great responsibility of such people. 1. Privilege► The shepherds have the honour of being set over the flock. Position is a privilege; it brings a responsibility. 2. Power. (1) There is the natural power of superior gifts► The shepherd is higher in mental power than his sheep. Great intellectual gifts bring with them a sort of pastoral responsibility in reg,trd to weaker minds. (2) There is the supcradded power of office. The shepherd is appointed over the sheep. All who are placed in pob1.tions of inflnence a.re made especially responsible. IL TREIB WICKEDNESS. 1. Positive wrong-doing. (1) Self-seeking. The shepherds feed themselves instead of feeding the flock. They are mere hirelings, not true shepherds (John x. 13). All who undertake public office for the sake of private gain belong to this disgraceful category. It would be hypocritical to suppose that the shepherd should Ilot consider his wages. But his fault is when he puts his profit above his duty. (2) Cruelty. The shepherds "kill them that are fed." They are worse than hirelings; they beha,e like robbers and wc,lves. So was it in the Middle .Ages, when bishops preyed on their flocks. The same is true of all tyrannous governments under which rulers oppress the people for their own advantage. It applies to the use of power and influence for selfish advantage to the injury of others, as in making a Jiving out of pernicious litera- ture, etc. 2. Negative negligence. Looking after themselves, the wicked shepherds neglect their flock. (1) 'l'he flock is not fed. It is the duty of the preacher to feed Christ's sheep (John :x.xi. 16). If he is making his own profit to the neglect of this duty the people may starve for lack of the bread of life. (2) 'l'he sick are not tended. Care for the sick sheep is an especial duty of the true shepherd. Sick souls need sympathy and help. The poor, the unfortunate, the sorrowful, the fallen, are all neglected by self- seekiDg leaders. (3) The sheep are scattered. 'l'here is no bond of uuion. The sheep do not listen to the voice of the bad shepherd. He forgets to call them, or does so in a listless, unattractive manner, or makes himself uninteresting to them, so that they will uot respond. Bad leaders scatter the Church. (4) Wild beasts ravage the flock. David delivered his flock from a lion and a bear. "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John L 11). But the hireling fleeth at the sight of the wolf (John x. 13). With bad leaders men are a prey to evil and error. IIL THEIR DOOM. 1. God's opposition. "Behold, I am against the' shepherds." They may be stronger than the sheep, but God is stronger than they are. Faithlessness in office provokes God's great wrath. 2. Hopeless requirements. "I will require my flock at their hand." But it is lost! 3. Loss of office. The bad shepherds ere dis- missed. The unfaithful servant is deprived of his talent (Matt. xx.v. 28). Disgrace,. dismissal, ruin, ere the punishments of unfaithful service. Vers. 11-13.-Seeking lost sheep. I. TnE SHEEP ARE LOST. Israel was scattered amoug the nations like sheep that have wandered from the fold and are lost in the wilderness. Souls have been scattered from their shelter and have wandered into distant places. Note some of the characteristics of the lost sheep. 1. They were originally in t~ fold. This refers to Jews rather than to heathen, to backsliding Christians, to, children of Christian homes; but also in a general way to all, because all men begin cH. xx:nv. 1-31.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 20')