OUR FATHER WHO JUDGES THOSE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OVER HIS PEOPLE

Looking  deeper into Isaiah chapter 56 verse 11, let's examine the metaphors used to represent the people who are charged with watching over the children of Israel. The verse reads like this;

They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way,  they seek their own gain.

The 'dog' metaphor first relates to the role that dogs have as guards of the household. They are supposed to be alert and use their superior hearing and olfactory senses to detect potential infiltrations so that they can give early warning to the rest of the household.

Instead, these dogs occupy themselves with satiating their mighty appetites and are thus not heeding the conditions at the perimeter of the household. They are never satisfied enough to return to their duties.

The watchment of the people are supposed to keep watch but they remain preoccupied.

The second metaphor used is the 'shepherd'. Shepherds are given responsibility over flocks of sheep to ensure the  well-being of the sheep is provided for. They are supposed to make sure that they have food and water as well as protection from the elements, thieves  and predators.

 Instead, the shepherds over Israel have no understanding of these basic duties that require constant attention to the flock so that none go missing. Instead, the shepherds of Israel pursue their own agendas and seek their own gain.

As distracted dogs or as sidetracked shepherds, the watchmen of the Lord's people turn aside from their mission and the people of the Lord are left vulnerable to hunger, thirst, thieves  and predators.

Let us always be alert as Ephesians chapter 6 verse 18 says;  

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD’s people.

Amen.