Title: My Brother's Keeper/ Topic: Responsibility

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 33; Ezekiel 34; Ezekiel 35; Revelation 18

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-9; 34:2-4
7 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.

'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost.

Observation: Here are two different scriptures; one directed to Ezekiel himself and the other to all the spiritual leaders of Israel. They both contain the same message--- we are our brother's keeper. We have a responsibility to one another to try to keep one another on track with God. Ezekiel is told that if he doesn't warn people of their sin and try to dissuade them from it, then he will receive punishment for not warning them. God does give boundaries though. Ezekiel isn't responsible for their choices once they've been warned; each person makes his/her own choice. Likewise, the leaders are told that they are responsible for caring for the flock. They can't just teach the Word and not try to heal the broken or search for and bring back the lost. Again, they can't make someone receive healing or stay in the flock but they are required to do all they can to try. If they don't, they are subject to God's judgment.

Application: I've heard some Christians scoff at the sentiment that says, "It takes a village to raise a child". They say that philosophy is new age garbage that negates personal responsibility and promotes "state run" parenting. They point out that God gave parents the job of raising children, not the "village". There is truth in their objection. But there is a balancing truth also. God has made it clear that there is an aspect in which we are "our brother's keeper" and responsible for each other. I must accept what God has said and not shy away from or become weary of speaking the truth to others, even if they don't respond. The reponse is their responsibility; the speaking of truth and even trying to get them to come back into the fold, heal them and care for them is mine.

Prayer: Father, I must admit that sometimes I do weary of trying to bring back lost sheep that are stubborn. I have had so many refuse to receive kind warning and help that I sometimes don't reach out at all. Forgive me. I want to be commended by You for doing my part well. I certainly don't want to come under Your judgment for not being my brother's keeper as I ought. Teach me to be a good sheep who willingly follows direction and also to be a good shepherd who cares and searches for the lost ones so that they may be healed. Encourage me so I don't get weary of doing this when some of the sheep refuse care.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.