In all probability, most Christians will never serve as
pastors over a congregation of people.
But the fact is that even though we may never be officially recognized
ministers, all of us are called upon in some capacity to act as ministers of
the gospel – even if it is only in our own home. And one of the most important skills we can have as ministers is
a clear and accurate understanding of those to whom we minister. Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the
condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.”
As I said before, whether we are ever called upon to act as a spiritual shepherd over a large “flock” of people or not, this scripture still has application to most of us in one way or another. Whether as an employer, father, mother, or peer, we all have a sphere of influence that includes others to whom we have the most opportunity to minister the truth and life of Jesus. And if we are going to be effective in affecting those people in our sphere of influence, we must know their spiritual “condition.”
We see a wonderful example of this principle in the story of Jacob and Esau’s reunion, found in Genesis 32 and 33. Knowing that he had tricked Esau out of his birthright, and that Esau had promised to kill him for it, Jacob was terrified at the prospect of seeing his brother again. As a result, upon hearing that Esau was coming to meet him, Jacob took great precaution both to try and win his brother’s favor and to protect his loved ones.
First, Jacob selected choice animals from his flocks of goats, rams, camels, cows, and donkeys and sent them ahead of him in 5 separate droves as a gift for his brother. Then he divided his children into groups from the least to the most precious in his sight – putting the children of his maids first, then the children of Leah, and lastly the children of Rachel. Jacob clearly was hoping to appease Esau with his gifts (32:20). He reasoned that if Esau were to vent his anger, his wrath might be worse upon those he saw first.
Whether as a result of Jacob’s gifts or just because of a change of heart, Esau did receive Jacob favorably, and their reunion, rather than being an exercise in vengeance, was an exercise in grace and brotherly love. Then, after Esau finally agreed to accept Jacob’s gifts, he suggested that the two of them return together to Esau’s home. Jacob turned down his brother’s request in Genesis 33:12-14, giving the following reason:
“But he said to him, ‘My lord knows that the children are frail and that the flocks and herds which are nursing are a care to me. And if they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die. Please let my lord pass on before his servant, and I will proceed at my leisure, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children.’ ”
With insight and compassion, Jacob realizes the danger of trying to drive his herds too hard and too quickly, and in his reply he provides a valuable lesson for anyone in any type of leadership position. Ultimately, it is the pace of the children, who are the weakest link, that will determine the pace of the flock. The same is true in a spiritual “flock” – it is the youngest who will determine the pace of the group. We see Jesus applying this same principle in Mark 4:33, where we are told, “He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it.” In whatever capacity you may be ministering today,
I hope you are neither driving your “flock” slower nor faster than they should be driven, but rather “according to the pace of the children.”