“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them” (Ezekiel 34:4).

This Scripture applies to many church leaders who use threats in order to control their congregations. It also applies to pastors who preach righteousness but fail to do their best to walk in righteousness and help those in need.

Finally, I believe this Scripture can apply to the parent-child relationship as so many times children’s needs go unmet, and their immature ways of trying to communicate their needs are punished. Some parents would rather dominate their children with force and severity rather than connect and guide them. God does not want anyone in a leadership role to forcefully dominate those under their authority.