Woe to the Bad Pastors!

Jer 23:1  Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Jer 23:2  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Here, we find just how invested is the Lord our God in the sheep of His pasture. We also find how accountable He holds the pastors of His people.

In these two verses, we find:

1. The pastors are not to destroy but to nourish the flock.

2. The pastors are to gather, not scatter the flock.

3. The pastors are to realize the Lord's ownership of the flock and that pastor's stewardship.

4. When the pastors fail miserably, they will find that the Lord is against them.  

5. Though they are to feed the flock, they may misfeed the flock.

6. The pastor must not ignore, but visit the flock.

7. Some pastors are downright evildoers. 8. The pastor must provide safety and security to the flock. (4)

God has lofty standards for pastors. Ministry is NOT for personal gain. It is not a place for narcissists. It is not a showcase for man's oratorical abilities. Ministry is reserved for God-called men to humbly care for His people. If they get side-tracked, they need to repent, return to their first love, or remove themselves.