Thessalonians part 75

This is in rather strange language, but here goes looking for the selfish and greedy things in Isaiah 56, beginning at verse 8 though 12 where this is stated, “The LORD GOD which gathers the outcasts of Israel said, Yet will I gather others to Him, beside those that are gathered to Him.

All beasts of the field, come to devour, yes, all beasts in the forest. (look at Jeremiah 12:7 and 9to get the full impact of what GOD is saying here) His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, 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, from his quarter. Come, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.”

GOD in His wisdom is chastising Israels fallen nature and sharply criticizes their leaders for their blatant involvement in the paganisms they have imbraced and accepted in their way of life and worthship of Him. Isaiah in the foregoing chapters, having comforted the faithful Jews with many great promises of God’s favor to be extended to them, in the restoration of their ruined state, and in the enlargement of his Church by the admission of the Gentiles; here on makes a sudden transition to the more disagreeable part of the prospect, and to a sharp reproof of the wicked and unbelievers; and especially of the negligent and faithless governors and teachers, of the idolaters and hypocrites, who would still draw down His judgments upon the nation. In the next chapter; in which the charge of corruption and apostasy becomes more general against the whole Jewish Church. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah in chapter 12 and Isaiah in the next chapter; in which the charge of corruption and apostasy becomes more general against the whole Jewish Church. These charges are still in effect now some 3000 – 4000 years later.


As with the above the following speaks to this wise, pastors or watchmen being unmindful of the flock in Ezekiel 34, beginning at verse 1 through 11 where this is stated by Ezekiel, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD GOD to the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat, and you cloth yourselves with the wool, you kill them that are fed: but you feed not the flock. The diseased you have not strengthened, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have you bound up that which was broken, neither have you brought again that which was driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have you ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yes, My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, says the LORD GOD, surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock; Therefore, O you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus says the LORD GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

For thus says the LORD GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out.”


Our last reference is spoken to this end, even to driving the flock away in Acts 20.