This Scripture took on real meaning afte having a discussion with a former Pastor tonight 5/6/08. When pragmatism is guiding a leader's decision making, scripture is rarely exalted in the final say of truth. He refused to heed the warnings of discernment that we gave him long ago when faced with deception and false teaching and refers to his error of judgement now -- as dabbling with teachings. In our gentleness it brought no conciliation, no healing. He did not gather or bind up. He did not extend fellowship or offer to bring us back into the fold to which he had driven us away. In a post-modern culture in which we live, it is a challenge for most to stand firm in the faith on the word of God. False teachings are a serious offense as outlined in scripture, and pastor have a special duty and instruction in the bible to guard the flock that they are entrusted with. Acts 20:28-32). Examine carefully the passage below, Trust what God says.
Ezekiel 34: 1-16
The word of the LORD came to me: " Son of man, prophecy against the shepheds of Israel; prophecy and say to them: "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Isreal who only take care of themselves ! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 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. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them. "Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As surely as I live, decalares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animal, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather then for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; This is what the Sovereign LORD says; I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. " For this is what the Sovereign LORD says; I myself will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says; I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I willl rescue them from all places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountain Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their gazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and thee they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will search for the lost and bring back the strays, I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, I will shepherd the flock with justice."