Ezekiel 34:1-31
Wednesday, 08 January 2025
“You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God,” declares the Sovereign LORD. -Ezekiel 34:31
Ezekiel was the first prophet of the exile in the land of Babylon during the seventy years of Israel’s captivity and exile.
Here in Chapter 34, through Ezekiel’s prophecy, God is criticizing Israel’s leaders for taking care of themselves rather than taking care of the people. He outlined their sins (Vs.1-6) and pronounced judgement upon them (Vs.7-10). Then He promised that a good shepherd would come who would take care of the people as a shepherd was supposed to do (Vs.11-31). This beautiful message portrays the work of the new shepherd, and the future of the sheep.
The primary duty of a shepherd is to see that the flock was well fed. Jesus said to Peter, "Feed My sheep" and "Tend My sheep." (John 21:15-17). Peter wrote to the elders of the church to feed the flock of God. Paul tells us that God has placed in the church, shepherd-teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the building up of the body of Christ.
The false shepherds did everything but feed them. They did not care for the sick among the flock; they did not bind up the broken; they did not seek those which were driven away; they did not seek those that were lost. Instead they ruled with force and cruelty.
The following comparison brings out the difference:
Bad Shepherds | Good Shepherds |
Take care of themselves | Take care of their flock |
Worry about their own health | Strengthen the weak and sick, search for the lost |
Rule harshly and brutally | Rule lovingly and gently |
Abandon and scatter the sheep | Gather and protect the sheep |
Keep the best for themselves | Give their best to the sheep |
In contrast to the evil shepherds (leaders) of God’s people, God promised to send a perfect shepherd –My servant David who will take care of every need his people have and set up a Kingdom of perfect peace and justice (see Jer. 23:5-6). Peace here means more than the absence of conflict; it is contentment, fulfillment and security.
Who is this shepherd? "My servant, David . . . And I, the LORD will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD, have spoken" (Vs.23-24). This coming Shepherd will be known as "my servant David" (Eze.37:22-26). He will establish an everlasting throne of David as Yahweh had promised. This grand promise of the establishment of an everlasting throne of David finds its fulfilment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
No doubt, this passage and other pictures of the Old Testament shepherds were in His mind when Christ the Good Shepherd revealed the six great truths to every true believer in John Chapter10. (1) “My sheep hear My voice” (2) “I know them” - (3) "They follow Me" (4) "I give eternal life to them" (5) "They shall never perish" (6) "No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. What a picture of a good and true shepherd! He knows His sheep, cares for them, gives them eternal life and the sheep willingly follow. Such a sense of security and assurance!
Spiritual leaders can have a good look at themselves to see how they have shepherded the flock given in their care. They must be careful not to pursue self-development at the expense of the broken, lost people but instead tend the flock given in their care with diligence, knowing that one day they are answerable to the Great Shepherd King!
Think on: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. ~ Psalm 23:1
Comments