Ezekiel 34 My Sheep
God tells Ezekiel that the shepherds of Israel are failing in their duties. “They have abandoned MY sheep”, says the Lord.
Any who have spent any time in scripture know that God is not talking about four-legged sheep. He is speaking of His people and those charged with leading them. This includes spiritual, political, and every day leaders. They have failed to lead the people in the ways of the Lord and the people have scattered because of it.
Contrary to the old saying that sheep are dumb, they are very intelligent. It is a different kind of intelligence than humans’ posses. Their dependence on their flock and their trust of their shepherd are crucial to their survival. Without either, they are prey for whatever comes their way.
Without a good shepherd, who actually cares about the sheep, disaster awaits them. The ‘shepherds’ of Israel were supposed to lead the sheep in the ways of the Lord; our Good Shepherd. But they failed to do so. And the people are scattered because of it.
Let’s rejoin Ezekiel and God gives him a prophecy about shepherds. Holy Spirit, guide this journey again today. Show me what You would have me learn and take to apply in my life. Be my Shepherd.
♥ ♦ ♥
Ezekiel if finding it nice to be able to speak freely again. His speech is still centered on the Lord. This is what is closest to Ezekiel’s heart. The saddest part is that he knows that not all of those who seek his advice will actually take it. His advice is always grounded in God’s Laws and many are still reluctant to apply it to their lives.
Ezekiel readies for his day. As always, it begins with time alone with the Lord. Afterwards, today, he has a group of the elders coming. They have been meeting regularly since his voice returned. He shakes his head as he thinks about their time together. “They are coming to hear Lord, but they aren’t listening.”
God echoes that same sentiment. In fact, that is what He wants to talk to Ezekiel about today. As Ezekiel kneels in his customary place, God begins speaking to him right away.
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them” (Ezekiel 34:2-6).
“Lord, are You speaking of the regular shepherds of Israel; those who keep the sheep in the valleys and the mountainsides?”
God knows that Ezekiel’s heart is questioning His meaning. Rather than give him a direct answer, He continues His message; knowing that Ezekiel will recognize the truth.
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them” (Ezekiel 35:7-10).
“Now I know You are talking about Your people. You care for us like NO ONE else does. If only our ‘shepherds’ cared like you do. I have a feeling that You want me to specifically share this with the elders’ group today.”
“I most certainly do. But we both know that they won’t truly listen.”
“I do know Lord. But as the watchman, I have to tell them anyway.”
“Exactly. And you are doing a find job. Don’t lose heart.”
“I won’t Lord. You sustain me.”
God continues on with His message after bolstering Ezekiel’s spirit.
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice” (Ezekiel 34:11-16).
“You are the only One who can rescue us, Lord. There is no other who would seek out this rebellious people. And I KNOW that when You do rescue us, we will have learned to trust in You with all our hearts.”
“Many will, but many more will not. ‘As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?’ (Ezekiel 34:17-19).
“I have seen this too. There are many who do not want what is being offered. But instead of just dealing with their own concerns, they have to mess things up as much as possible for those who do want to listen. They make it difficult for the true worshiper to listen.”
God smiles at Ezekiel’s understanding and continues. “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken” (Ezekiel 34:20-24).
“How will David be our shepherd, Lord? He has gone the way of the earth. Will You resurrect him from the dust of the earth?”
“Remember My promise. To have a descendant of David rule on his throne forever. I will provide that descendant; that David. The One who will shepherd my people in righteousness and truth.”
“When will that be, Lord?”
“That is not for you to know right now. He will be revealed in His own time. In that time, ‘I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them a renowned place for planting so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God” (Ezekiel 34:25-31).
“That sounds AMAZING Lord! What about now? When will You rescue Your people from this place?”
“You already know that I will, for I have said as much through My prophets, and even you.”
Ezekiel bows his head. “Let it be soon Lord God. Let it be soon.”
Ezekiel is excited to share the Lord’s words with the elders. When they arrive, he welcomes them into his home. After everyone is seated, Ezekiel addresses them as one.
“The Lord gave me a prophecy during our time together this morning. It is for the ‘shepherds of Israel’. I want to share it with you now.”
“We aren’t shepherds. Why would you bring this word to us? And why would the Lord be concerned with shepherds? They are the poorest of the poor.”
“The Lord is concerned with ALL His children; even the poorest of the poor. But, if you will listen, you will see that this message is more for those gathered here than anyone else.”
The elders quiet themselves and prepare to listen. Ezekiel begins sharing the words of the Lord with the group. When it becomes clear that the Lord is speaking of the religious and political leaders, many of the elders become angry.
“WE are not neglecting the people! We have pledged our lives to their care!”
“But are you teaching them the commandments of the Lord? Are you ensuring that they follow them with their whole hearts?”
A few sputters are heard before one of the elders speaks. “How are we supposed to ‘ensure’ that they follow the Lord? We cannot ‘make them’ do anything.”
“No. You can’t. But you can lead them by example and daily teach them.”
“But what if they won’t listen? What are we supposed to do then?”
“The same thing I do. KEEP speaking the Lord’s words; no matter what. I KNOW that most of the people are not actually taking the words of the Lord into their hearts and letting it change their lives. But if there is a chance that even one person will listen and act on what is shared, I share anyway. A day IS coming when the people will turn to their Lord again. And He will rescue them from the places where He has scattered them.”
Most of the elders’ heads bow in shame for not stepping up and teaching their families to follow the Lord. One of the elders looks up and locks eyes with Ezekiel.
“We have much to repent of.”
“And much to return to in order to please the Lord” says another.
Ezekiel is comforted by the elder’s reactions. He knows it is still a long way from the ideal that God shared with them all. Ezekiel doesn’t bring this message to the marketplace. This message is for the ‘shepherds’ of Israel. He brings it to the full council of elders. They too, will have to decide what to do with God’s words.
(to be continued)
We are still awaiting that glorious day. And it won’t just be Israel who benefits from the Shepherd King. ALL the earth will be His. Jesus will rule and reign for 1,000 years here on earth. THAT time will be glorious!
Thank You Father that You made a way for me to be part of Your family. That You welcome me as one of Your sheep (children). Thank You for our time together. And, Come Lord Jesus; come soon!
