Woe to the Shepherds who Exploit the Animals. By Dr. Chapman Chen

“The word of the Lord came to me: Woe to you shepherds… who only take care of yourselves!... You have ruled them harshly and brutally… Therefore, … the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will… rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.” (Ezekiel 34:1-10 NIV).

In Ezekiel 34:1–10, God denounces the false shepherds of Israel: “You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock” (v. 3). Leaders who were meant to look after the flock instead exploit them for food, clothing, and profit. The sheep are left hungry, injured, and scattered. God promises to rescue the flock from their mouths and to judge those who treat lives as commodities.

This is not only an ancient metaphor about failed leadership. It also shines a light on the violence of animal agriculture today. Like the false shepherds, our societies consume the milk, wool, and flesh of innocent creatures, while ignoring their suffering. Farmed animals are confined, mutilated, and slaughtered—victims of an economic system that profits from their misery. Ezekiel makes clear: such exploitation is abhorrent to God.

In stark contrast, Jesus proclaims: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11, NIV). The true shepherd does not consume the flock but protects it, even at the cost of his own life. His example overturns the logic of domination: he shows that love is measured not by what we take from others, but by what we are willing to give for their well-being.

Together, these texts call us to a life of compassion and nonviolence. To follow the Good Shepherd is to stand against the machinery of exploitation, to refuse participation in industries that commodify living beings, and to care tenderly for God’s flock—all creatures entrusted to our care. In choosing mercy over slaughter, we reflect the heart of Christ and anticipate God’s promised kingdom, where no one “will hurt [or] destroy on all [His] holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9, 65:25). #VeganChrist #VeganGod #VeganTheology #VeganChurch

Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/woe-to-the-shepherds-who-exploit-the-animals-by-dr-chapman-chen