Judaism — Ezekiel’s calling
September 29, 2011
Judaism – I heard the voice of God saying: `Mortal man, stand up. I wish to speak to you.’ As the voice spoke, the Spirit of the Lord entered me, and raised me to my feet; and I could hear clearly.
`Mortal man,’ the voice of God continued,`I am sending you to the people of Israel. They have rebelled against me, turning their backs on me; and they are still rebelling, just as their ancestors did. They are stubborn and hardhearted. So you will tell them what I, the sovereign Lord, am saying to them. Whether they listen or refuse to listen, they will know that a prophet has been among them. `You, mortal man, must not be afraid of them, or of anything they say.
They will defy and despise you. You will feel as though you are walking through briars and thorns; you will feel as though you are living among scorpions. But do not be afraid of these rebels, or of anything they say. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen. Remember that they are rebels. Mortal man, listen to everything I say; do not be a rebel yourself.’
Judaism – Bad shepherds and the good shepherd
The Lord spoke through me to the rulers of Israel, the shepherds of his people: You take care of yourselves, but you never tend the sheep. You drink their milk, you wear clothes made from their wool, and you kill those who antagonize you.
You show no love or compassion for them. You do not protect those who are weak; you do not heal those who are sick; you do not bandage those who are hurt; you do not search for those who have wandered from my way; and you do not guide those who are lost. Instead, you treat them cruelly. And for this reason they have been scattered from their land, and predators have attacked them. They have dispersed across the face of the earth, and no one is seeking them.
‘So I myself, the sovereign Lord, will find my sheep, and tend them. As a shepherd gathers his sheep together, so I shall
gather together my people from the places where they have gone. I shall guide those who are lost, bring back those who
have wandered from my way, bandage those who are hurt, and heal those who are sick. But those who are fat and sleek,
I shall destroy. I am a shepherd who always acts justly.’
Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
