Ezekiel 34:1-31
Q.1. How were God’s people treated by their leaders? What would God do about this maltreatment? – (Ezk.34:1-10)
God accused the shepherds of His people of looking after themselves and allowing the sheep to scatter. There was no one to search them out and shepherd them (Ezk.34:1-5). This is reminiscent of the way Jesus saw the nation of Israel in His day (Ezk.34:5 c.f. Mt.9:36). God would punish the unfaithful shepherds of Israel. He Himself would deliver His sheep from their adversaries (Ezk.34:7-10).
Q.2. What promise did God make to His scattered sheep and their leaders? How is God our role model for ministry? – (Ezk.34:11-24)
God revealed His heart when He declared – … “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out (Ezk.34:11). However, He promised so much more to His erring people – I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land (Ezk.34:13). This also points to the time of peace and abundance during Christ’s Millennial Reign (Ezk.34:13-14, 23-24). However, not all will be treated the same – “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment (Ezk.34:16). God models care for the defenceless and lost. We should follow in His footsteps.
Q.3. What future hope did God give to the house of Israel? How will this come about? – (Ezk.34:23-31)
Many now dismiss Israel because of their unfaithfulness. However, God declared that He will make a Covenant of Peace with them, thus making a new unbreakable Covenant with His people (Ezk.34:25 c.f. Ezk.36:22-32). Ezekiel alluded to the future Millennial Kingdom, when the Lord will re-establish His people – I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the Lord have spoken (Ezk.34:24). The land will once more experience God’s blessing – 26 I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing. 27 The tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase and they will be secure in their land … (Ezk.34:26-27). This has not happened yet. All this will be achieved so – 30 They will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people,” declares the Lord God. 31 “As for you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God,” declares the Lord God (34:30-31).