When Sheep Go Baaaaaaaad

Ezekiel 33-34; Psalm 115; Proverbs 28:3-5

Without the Bible, I probably wouldn’t think much about what sheep can do to hurt each other. After all, I’m not a farmer. But apparently, just like with humans, stronger ones can use their strength to push aside weaker sheep and take all the best grass and water for themselves.

As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? – Ezekiel 34:17-19

God cares about the weak sheep, the sheep who don’t get the first pick of the food, or the second, but have to wait until after the whole rest of the herd has eaten before getting a bite. God cares. He goes on:

Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken. – Ezekiel 34:20-24

God sees the weak, and he sees how the strong treat them. And God cares. God will judge between them and save the weak from the strong. This lesson from the lives of sheep should be hitting home with us people. If God notices unfair practices between sheep, how much more does he notice injustice on our level? We don’t care about the weak very often, but if we did, we could find ways to help them. May God give us hearts of compassion!

Just to make it clear that God’s focus is not the sheep:
You my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, are people, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign LORD. – Ezekiel 34:31

Follow Him.

Father, guide us and teach us how to support the weak rather than harming them. Give us hearts that care about the less fortunate, hearts that pay attention to them even when those around us ignore them.