Saturday, September 26
Read Ezekiel 34
Think About It:
What a chapter!!! Ezekiel had already exposed the sins of the nation’s leaders, but he returned to this theme because it had a bearing on Israel’s future. While this message applied to Israel’s current situation in Ezekiel’s day, it also has an application in that future day when the Lord gathers His people to their land. (This happened again in 1947, when Israel became a nation, and His people were allowed to come back to their ancestral home.) This message certainly must have brought hope to the exiles as they realized the Lord had not forsaken them but would care for them as a shepherd for a sheep.
Jesus spoke of “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6; 15:24). Because Jesus called Himself, “the Good Shepherd” and “the Door of the Sheep,” the image of the flock carried over to the church (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Peter 5:2-3). Our English word “pastor” is a Latin word that means “shepherd”.
Ezekiel 1-20 speaks to the exploiting and abusing of the sheep. The selfish leaders of the kingdom of Judah had exploited the people because they thought only of themselves. They failed to care for the sheep and meet their needs. True leaders don’t exploit their people, they sacrifice for them. Jesus the Shepherd set the example by laying down His life for the flock (John 10:10).
The leaders didn’t minister to the sick and injured, nor did they seek for the lost and scattered sheep. They ruled only with force and cruelty. Three times Ezekiel accused them of allowing the sheep to be scattered, a flock without a shepherd caused the nation to fall apart and the flock was scattered.
The prophecy of regathering is part of God’s covenant with the Jews (Deuteronomy 30:1-10), and the Lord always keeps His promises! The Lord also prophesied that He will protect His flock (Ezekiel 23-31). Definitely a prophecy for future events, because the returned remnant didn’t have a just ruler caring for them, nor did ”showers of blessing” come to the land. But when Israel is regathering to her land in the end times, the Messiah will rule over them and be their Shepherd-King. The “prince” in verse 24 will not be King David, but in fact will be the resurrected and enthroned Lord Jesus Christ Himself in whom Israel will receive when they see Him (Zechariah 12:9-13:1, Jeremiah 23:5, 30:8-10, Hosea 3:5).
Neither the pain of scarcity, nor the shame of defeat will rob the Jewish people of the blessings the Lord has planned for them! In the past, their sins forced the Lord to turn His face against them; and in the future kingdom, He will smile upon them and dwell with them. Ezekiel had watched the Glory of God leave the temple (11:22:23); but he would also see God’s Glory return (43:1-5)! The name of the Holy City would become “Jehovah Shammah” – the Lord is there!
Family Time:
- Who is the true Shephard?
- In verse 11, who will search for my sheep and look after them?
