The heart of The Judge is sure to move on behalf of His intended Word. This morning is such a quickening in my heart that we have overlooked the pressing matters He holds dear. We are now minoring on the majors and majoring on the minors. We continue to preach that which we do not do. We have neglected the sheep and God’s own heart for His body.

 

While judgement is eminent and the world has at large turned away from Christ, He is most focused upon His sheep. For it is the call of repentance to His very Church which will fall under His scalpel of grace.

 

He will begin in the ranks of highest calling and sift the Shepherds, elders, and deacon’s hearts. Bringing to justice every heavy hand that came against His cherished fold.

 

We’ve much concern for a world gone awry, yet Christ sets His face against the Shepherds. Ezekiel 34 gives a telling account of the oppression caused by our leaders and the lack of moved compassion to tend the sheep.

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ² “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? ³ You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. ⁴ The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. ⁵ So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. ⁶ My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”

⁷ ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ⁸ “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”— ⁹ therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! ¹⁰ Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”

 

We have become top heavy and appoint people never called, or perhaps by only themselves. God will bring down every place not planted by the Father. His eye roams the earth seething with anger as He once did in the days of old. His heart aches for the blurred vision of the lost, but His indignation burns at those who bear His name who have bore an image of Him that is sorely wrong.

 

Micah 6:8

He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the LORD is requiring from you— to act with justice, to treasure the LORD’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.

Proverbs 18:5

It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

 

We will face utter pained cries as we see our own hearts before a holy God realizing we have often come against His very heart in ways we deem unimportant. There will be now a righteous wind blowing. But He has always been an executor of Justice. And He is coming to winnow the fields.

 

Proverbs 17:15

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

 

For every cry of oppression and hindrance with our religious rights and partial judgements, we have failed to mobilize the brethren to their appointed place. We lord over the sheep with man’s wisdom alone, unaware of His missing power.

 

Deuteronomy 16:18-20

“Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the LORD your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly. You must never twist justice or show partiality. …

2 Chronicles 19:7

Fear the LORD and judge with integrity, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”

 

The moment likened to Elijah going to Ahab will ring in our ears as Christ comes to proclaim judgement upon the false prophets and leaders of the day. He will again turn the tables of the religious order who have made His house again a yoke of slavery and bondage.

 

Oh yes …. we may see a filthy shadow of a world now gone into oblivion, yet judgement waits for these…..

 

For the order of things begins in the House of God…. where He will contend with the shepherds and the sheep.

 

Psalm 89:13-14

Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.