Passage Read: Isaiah 55-58
Meditation Verses: 56:10-12
Thought
Israel's watchmen, her shepherds, are blind and mute. They cannot see what is done wrong and they cannot speak out about it. Instead, they just love themselves, they just love to lie around and sleep and dream. They have mighty appetites and all they care about is getting food and drink and enjoying their days. They do not want to lead the people, but to live off their labor. They are greedy for gain, and so they scheme to skim all they can from the people. They are not concerned about what the Lord wants for these people, but only what they can do to get more from them.
Application
Shepherds that are greedy for gain become shepherds that do not speak truth or justice to the people. They do not require righteousness, because that would come back to haunt them. They would have to walk in righteousness--unless they figure out how to be a pharisee. God has appointed leaders not so they can live large off the backs of their people, but so that they can teach and lead the people to do what pleases the Lord. I cannot live for my stomach or my comfort, and so do all I can to manipulate the people to supply my wants. I must live for their good, which means being concerned primarily with their relationship with God, whether they are walking in ways that please Him, urging them to walk in ways that please Him, even if that alienates me from them. This chapter and the next would be great messages to the masses!