In Isaiah 56 the prophet describes how the leaders of Israel failed the people.
For the leaders of my people—
the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds—
are blind and ignorant.
They are like silent watchdogs
that give no warning when danger comes.
They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.
Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied.
They are ignorant shepherds,
all following their own path
and intent on personal gain.
“Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party.
Let’s all get drunk.
Then tomorrow we’ll do it again
and have an even bigger party!”
Let’s list out the attributes that they had that failed the people:
- Blind and Ignorant
- Silent
- Lying around
- Greedy
- Following their own path and own gain
- Drunk/partying
As I was reading this passage this week I though of it as a warning for me.
Instead of being blind and ignorant we need to pray to have eyes to see and understand.
Ephesians 1:18 NKJV the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
James 1:5 NKJV If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Instead of being silent we need to learn to speak truth.
Proverbs 12:17 NKJV He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
Ephesians 4:15 NLT Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Instead of laying around being lazy we should work hard at the watching over the flock God has assigned to us.
2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Proverbs 27:23 NKJV Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;
Instead of being greedy and leading for our own gain we lead for the gain of others, being generous.
Proverbs 11:25 NKJV The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
Matthew 20:28 NKJV just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Instead of being drunk on drink, glory, and power, we live soberly and vigilant.
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NKJV But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.