Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 35:1‐36:38, James 1:1‐18, Psalm 116:1‐19, Proverbs 27:23‐27

Context: David will follow this verse by saying that “your flock” will provide clothing, food and milk for you in tough times.

Proverbs 27:23 “Know well the condition of your flocks,
 and give attention to your herds…”

Observations:

• Know well / give attention to
  • The condition of your flocks
  • Your herds

Today is my first day on staff at a church.  My first reaction to this verse was to think of flocks as the people that will be in the ministry I shepherd.  However, within the context of this passage, “flocks” here seems to refer more directly to the basic level of your livelihood.  For me in my ministry, that could be the Word of God and/or the basic tools God uses to do ministry through people and also the health in which the ministry is currently functioning. 

Apply: I have spent the last week in 2 Timothy as I seek to know well the condition of my flocks and to give attention to my herds.  Last night I went through and wrote out all of the imperative commands.  This morning I want to begin to memorize them.  The next three months I need to look hard at the condition of the ministry.  I want to know it well.

What do you need to do to know well the condition of your flocks?