Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Derfor skal dere hyrder høre Herrens Ord: ‘Så sant Jeg lever’, sier Herren Gud, ‘Min flokk er blitt til bytte og til føde for alle markens ville dyr. Dette har skjedd fordi de ikke hadde noen hyrde, og fordi Mine hyrder ikke lette etter Min flokk. Hyrdene tok seg av seg selv i stedet for å vise omsorg for Min flokk.’ Derfor sier Herren Gud til hyrdene: ‘Jeg skal komme og gjøre dere ansvarlig for Min flokk. Jeg skal ikke lenger la dere passe flokken. Jeg skal befri Min flokk fra dere. Min flokk skal ikke lenger kunne være til mat for dem.’
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, the Lord is addressing the leaders or shepherds of Israel. He is calling on them to listen to His message. The key message is a call for accountability and responsibility from those in leadership.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're in charge of taking care of a group of sheep. The sheep need you to guide them and keep them safe. Now, imagine a voice calling out to all the shepherds, saying, 'Hey, listen up, because I have something important to say to you.' That's what this verse is about. God is talking to the leaders, telling them they need to pay attention.
Historical Background
Ezekiel 34:7 is part of the book of Ezekiel, written by the prophet Ezekiel around 593-571 BCE. This verse is directed at the leaders of Israel, who are likened to shepherds. The cultural setting reflects a time when the people of Israel were facing significant challenges and God was addressing the failure of their leaders to care for them.
Living It Out Today
In a modern context, this verse can be applied to any leadership role, such as a manager in a company or a teacher in a school. It reminds leaders that they have a responsibility to care for and guide those under their charge, and that they must be accountable to a higher authority.
In Ezekiel 34:7, God is speaking to the leaders of Israel, addressing them as shepherds.
What does it mean to be a shepherd in this context?
In this context, being a shepherd means being a leader who is responsible for guiding and caring for the people under their care, much like a shepherd cares for sheep.
How does this verse apply to modern leadership roles?
This verse applies to modern leadership roles by emphasizing the importance of accountability and the responsibility of leaders to guide and care for those they lead.
What are some key cross-references for understanding Ezekiel 34:7?
Some key cross-references include Jeremiah 23:1-4, John 10:11, and 1 Peter 5:2, which all touch on the theme of leadership and care for the people under one's charge.