Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Listen up, God wants you to call out Israel's leaders. Tell them straight up: 'This is what the Lord God says to you so-called shepherds: You're in serious trouble for only looking out for yourselves! Aren't shepherds supposed to take care of their sheep?'
Leaders who only serve themselves instead of their people are about to face some consequences.
📚 Historical Context
Ezekiel was a prophet living during the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC, addressing the people of Israel who had been scattered due to their leaders' unfaithfulness. In this verse, "shepherds" refers to the kings, priests, and rulers of Israel who were responsible for guiding and protecting the people but instead prioritized their own interests. This prophecy reflects God's broader message of judgment against corrupt leadership that led to the nation's downfall.
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