July 24, 2018 Tuesday

“1 ¶  “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. 2  Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. 3  “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4  “I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD. 5  “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And “”6  In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:1-6 NKJV)

            Jeremiah prophesies there are shepherds over God’s flock who not only are not shepherding God’s flock but are actually scattering the flock! These “shepherds” are more like wolves in shepherds clothing to deceive the flock. Some of these “wolves” have been misguided by other wolves that look like shepherds. Many of these wolves have made a choice like Eve who added to God’s word in her discussion with the serpent.

            The wolves are pretty easy to spot if you spend time studying the Bible and in prayer. The wolves will always question what is clearly stated in the Bible. They seek an accommodation with the views and beliefs of the world and so they will seek to come up with an “historic Jesus”.

            There are two major problems of the wolves teaching and sad to say both of them are eternal in their nature.

First and most dangerous is they call God a liar! When they twist, misinterpret, or just ignore God’s teaching they in affect say God is either stupid or a liar!

Second because they call right wrong and wrong right they cause people to believe what they are doing is acceptable to God and don’t need to change their behavior or ask for God’s forgiveness!

            God will send an eternal shepherd who will come from the house of David who will “execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”  Jesus would come as the Lord of righteousness and by his life and death would redeem we who are unable to be righteous be made righteous through Jesus!

            Do you follow the good Shepherd through the Scriptures and time in prayer? Are you willing to trust the word of your shepherd? Will you pray for those who are wolves so they may become shepherds of God and guide God’s people to all truth?

In over 30 years in the pastoral ministry I discovered the vast majority of those who come to worship on Sunday have not read the Bible all the way through. This leaves them open to being led to the slaughter by the evil one! This is incredibly dangerous and has eternal ramifications!!! Do not leave yourself defenseless but read and study the Bible not just for your protection but so you can develop a real relationship with God.