The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
You haven't taken care of the weak or helped heal the sick. You didn't bandage up the injured or bring back the ones who wandered off. You never even looked for the lost ones. Instead, you ruled them harshly and treated them cruelly.
Real leadership means caring for people, not controlling them.
📚 Historical Context
During the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC, the prophet Ezekiel spoke as a voice of God to the exiled people of Israel, condemning their leaders for failing in their duties. These leaders were likened to negligent shepherds who ignored the needs of the flock, such as the weak and sick, while instead using force and cruelty to maintain control. This rebuke reflects God's ongoing concern for justice and care among His people, as seen in the broader prophetic tradition.
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