Proverbs 27:23
The wisdom expressed here makes obvious application to spiritual shepherds as well as professional ones.
Happy the assembly where elders make frequent enquiry about the well being of their sheep, spiritual or otherwise. And like most good shepherds, this enquiry will not be limited only to when it is convenient for the shepherd. Assembly gatherings will give the Shepherd a fairly contrived picture of one’s well being since it doesn’t provide the level of intimacy necessary for full disclosure and honest, open conversation. At best, the pasture of the local assembly will allow for everyone to be on their best form.
Diligent enquiry, as the writer suggests here, will take place regularly and involve careful inspection. This Shepherd will identify negative patterns before they escalate, and diagnose and prescribe where the Sheep needs treatment. Over time the Shepherd earns the trust of the sheep and this regular contact means that when things go wrong a relationship exists to limit the damage and recover more quickly.
Sheep will be sheep – but oh that Shepherds would be Shepherds.
