Stupid Sheep Good Shepherd

Stupid Sheep, Good Shepherd

As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep (V.12).

Ezekiel 34:1-16

Reading

My friend helps look after the sheep on his family’s farm. He told me: “Sheep are so stupid that they’ll only eat what is right in front of them. Even if they’ve eaten all the grass, they won’t turn to look for a fresh patch—they’ll just start eating mud!” 

I couldn’t help but think about how often the Bible says humans are like sheep. No wonder we need a shepherd! But since sheep are so stupid, not just any shepherd will do. Sheep need a shepherd who cares about them. When Ezekiel wrote to God’s people while they were prisoners in Babylon, he compared them to sheep led by bad shepherds. Instead of caring for the flock, Israel’s leaders were using them for their own ends (V.3) and then leaving them for the wild animals to kill (V.6). 

But they were not without hope. God, the good shepherd, promised to rescue them from the leaders who harmed them. He promised to bring them back to their own country, put them in new homes and give them rest. He would heal the injured and go after the lost (VV.11-16). He would fight off the wild animals so that his flock would be safe (V.28). 

As God’s flock, we are in need of love and direction. How amazing to know we have a good shepherd who is always leading us (V.14)!

What I’m thankful for . . .

God, thank You for how You care for us! Even when we don’t know what we need or where we should go, You provide for us.

ARE WE LISTENING FOR THE VOICE OF OUR SHEPHERD?

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries