Reading
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Devotion
Peace be with you!
The world has so much injustice: starving children and the “one percent,” the homeless and the mansions, the naked and the two million dollar shoes, and [whatever “it” is] that seems not right. I understand equality is hard to achieve, but how can you let a child go naked when you fly around the world in a private jet?
The Lord is frustrated with the political leaders, prophets, and priests of Israel and Judah for only taking care of themselves (Ezekiel 34:5-6). The political leaders are the shepherds who are supposed to care for the weak, the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the disabled, the sick, and the poor. However, the political leaders are oppressing the vulnerable by putting their own needs and wants above the needs of others. The Lord made these individuals political leaders so they could shepherd his people by caring for their needs and upholding justice. Instead they were lining their pockets with gold and eating a whole calf (Ezekiel 34:2b-3).
The Lord takes back his people who are oppressed by the one percent. The Lord is the shepherd who will care for his sheep (Ezekiel 34:11-16). He will find the lost, care for the sick and the disabled, clothe the naked, and provide shelter for the homeless (Ezekiel 34:16). The shepherd tends to the needs of his sheep.
The Lord does not take kindly to those who use their power and wealth to take advantage of the vulnerable. The Lord punishes those who oppress the vulnerable. The Lord deals with the root of the problem by taking away the power of oppressors and making them vulnerable.
To be a good shepherd, a political leader should care about whom they are commissioned to serve God lifts up leaders who champion justice for the oppressed, such as King David who united Israel and Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Political leaders have the responsibility to care for those who are vulnerable and to bring justice to their oppressors. Jesus oppressed those who rejected his teachings and lifted up those who were on the outside looking in. By lifting up the vulnerable and including them in the community, political leaders become shepherds in their communities.
Thanks be to God!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being the kind of good shepherd after which political leaders can model themselves. Help us to use our leadership to care for the vulnerable and uphold justice. Guide us with your love, grace, and peace. Amen.
Reflective Questions
Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below. Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the behavior covenant by commenting on it.) You can answer as many questions as you would like.
- Who uses their power to care for the vulnerable and to bring about justice?
- How have the vulnerable been oppressed?