SHEPHERDLESS SHEEP

Num. 27: 16-17, “ Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, Set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and many bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no Shepard.”

Moses, the servant of God, led the congregation of Israel out of Egypt ’s bondage, across the Barren wilderness, and through many hardships. At times, they wanted to forsake him and stone him. With their murmuring and rebellion, they declared he had a problem with authority and that he had set himself up as a dictator. Was it not the Lord who had chosen him? Also, we find that the Lord took it personal when the people began to murmur; He said to Moses, “It’s Me they are complaining about, not you.” It was the Lord directing Moses to lead the flock in the direction that would cause hardship so the real desire of the people’s hearts would be seen. Looking back, we see the heart of the shepherd and Moses. First, when he stood in the gap for his flock at a time when the Lord was fed up with all the murmuring and ungrateful attitudes of the people. The Lord would have destroyed them had it not been for Moses. Also, when Moses looked across the vast wilderness at their hardships he tried to get Hobad, the son of Taguel the Midianite, to be their eyes. He chose him because he knew that Hobad had lived there all his life and they could avoid a lot of hardships taking the shortcut home. However, the ark of God went out into the forefront to lead in a different way.

            At the end of their journey we find Moses praying for the Lord to set a man over the congregation, that they may not be as sheep without a shepherd. The Lord had spoken to Moses in verse 12 of the same chapter (Num. 27) to get up into the mountain and see the land promised to give unto the children of Israel, “Thou shalt be gathered into thy people as Aaron they brother was gathered. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin …and in strife…” and was not allowed to enter the promise land.  

SPIRIT OF REBELLION  

            Many People today don’t believe in going to church and being faithful. Some say the Lord is my shepherd, I don’t need a man. Still others will say, “We’re the CHURCH, it’s not the building anyway!”, and while there is truth in the sayings, the spirit of rebellion is at work also. Look at Acts 20:28, Paul speaking to the Pastors at Ephesus saying, “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over that which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God , which He hath purchased with his own blood.” 1 Peter 2:5 states that we are lively stones and build up a spiritual house. Also, hear the words of St. Stephen which declare that the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48 ). We also know that in the Ekklesia, the church: God has set in it first apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, and diversities or tongues, (1 Cor. 12:28 ). Pastors are overseers placed over them to feed, edify, teach, and to warn them; that they would no more be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men that lie in wait to deceive.

            Amos 3:12, “The Shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion.” In Eze. 34:4, They were diseased, weak and broken sheep were scattered and they became meat to all the beast of the fields. In verse 6, they wandered through all the mountains, and upon every hill. David, who was a shepherd, said (Psalm 23), “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want” (lack) Could it be that many today lack because they refuse to submit to the Shepherds that the Holy Ghost has made overseers? Verse 2, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.” Verse 3, “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” 

Blind Watchmen

Isaiah 56:10, “His watchmen are blind: they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his gain.”    Jer. 50:6, “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.” There are still shepherds today that don’t settle into the mountains of God; where only the true rest for the soul can be found. It was in the mountain where Moses received the spiritual law that lifted man from sin’s grip. It was on the mountain the glorified Christ was seen and man looked upon God. Paul told Timothy, a young shepherd, to be an example of the believers in word, in conversations, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Shepherds need to lead their flocks, pray for their sheep and be an example unto them. Yes, there are many that sleep, but that are lazy and will tickle the ears of the people, but, God is still in control. He has faithful shepherds and He can lead and He can direct so that there is none that can justify themselves as to why they’re not under the covering of His true Shepherds. So, remember, the Word tells us to mark them that cause divisions among you; and be not as sheep that have no shepherd.