Isaiah 56:10-12

Blind Watchmen

Isaiah 56:10-12
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain. "Come," each one cries, "let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.

Comment

Watchmen and shepherds are those with the responsibility of overseeing the flock. They may be the religious and civic leaders of the society. And if this is true of the leadership then how much more concerning those they oversee. But perhaps it's most instructive to consider the converse of these characteristics that we might learn what qualities God appreciates among leadership:

Aspect	Israel's Watchmen	Converse - Godly Attributes
Sight	Blind - lacking knowledge	Enlightened - understanding
Speech	Mute - Not speaking Truth	Speaking the Truth in Love
Zeal	Lazy	Diligent
Appetite	Gluttonous - discontent	Content
Focus	Selfish	Selfless
Purpose	Vanity - hedonistic	Godly - pleasing God

Personal Evaluation:
What areas do you need more enlightenment concerning so that you may lead a godly life?
How might you more actively and effectively speak truth to edify others?
Have you been spiritually lazy and how might you develop more zeal and live the Christian life with diligence?
Are you unncessarily discontent and spend an undo amount of time and effort satisfying your discontentment?
How might you change your expectations in life so as to achieve a more godly attitude of contentment?
In what ways has seeking your own ways and your own personal gain interfered with your living the Christian life? How might you more effectively and diligently seek His kingdom and His righteousness?
What are you living for? What is your purpose in life? The seeking after pleasure, or the seeking after pleasing God.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources