30/07/2026
MIDWEEK MEETINGS TREASURES
FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 3-9, 2026.
Theme: The Importance of Good Shepherds
Imagine a flock of sheep out in open countryside. They are not dangerous animals. They are gentle, dependent, and easily influenced by their surroundings. They do not always know where the safest path is or where danger may be hidden. Because of that, they rely completely on a shepherd to guide them, protect them, and care for them. When the shepherd is attentive, the sheep feel secure. They are fed, they are guided to safe places, and they can rest without fear. But when the shepherd is careless or selfish, the sheep quickly suffer. They become scattered, vulnerable, and confused.
That simple picture helps us understand a very important truth: the kind of shepherds people follow matters deeply.
In the time of ancient Judah, Jehovah used the illustration of shepherds to describe those who were responsible for guiding His people. Sadly, many of those “shepherds” failed in their responsibility. Instead of caring for the people, they neglected them. Instead of protecting them, they allowed them to be harmed spiritually.
At Jeremiah 23:2, Jehovah strongly rebuked the shepherds of Israel because they were scattering His flock. Instead of strengthening the people spiritually, they were contributing to their downfall. Similarly, Ezekiel 34:2-5 shows that these shepherds were feeding themselves rather than caring for the flock. They were focused on their own benefit, their own position, and their own comfort, while the people under their care were left spiritually weak and vulnerable.
That is a very serious situation.
Because when those who are supposed to guide others spiritually fail to do so, the consequences do not remain limited. They spread. The people begin to lose direction. Wrong practices become more acceptable. Spiritual standards weaken. Over time, confusion grows, and the relationship between the people and Jehovah becomes damaged.
And that is exactly what happened in Judah.
But the problem did not stop with neglect. It went even further. False prophets and unfaithful teachers also played a role in leading the people astray. Instead of correcting wrongdoing, they encouraged it. Instead of helping people return to Jehovah, they gave them messages that made them feel comfortable in their wrong course.
At Jeremiah 23:14, we see that these prophets strengthened those who were doing wrong, telling them that everything was fine, even when it was not. They gave false assurance instead of honest guidance. As a result, immoral behavior and spiritual decline became more widespread.
When those who are supposed to represent Jehovah begin to mislead others, the effect is very damaging. People start to lose their sense of direction. Wrong actions begin to feel normal. And slowly, what is spiritually dangerous becomes accepted.
This is why Jehovah took such strong action against that condition. Because He cares deeply about His people, He does not allow them to be misled without warning.
When we look at history, we also see that this was not a new problem. Many leaders in Israel and Judah failed in their responsibility. Some kings, instead of guiding the nation in worship of Jehovah, led them into false worship. Over time, this pattern contributed to spiritual decline among the people.
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