November 5th | Ezekiel 34

Sheep need shepherds. They are astonishing creatures, but struggle to survive without a shepherd to watch over them. Sheep are defenseless against predators. Without a shepherd, they will easily be devoured by larger animals. Sheep have a terrible sense of direction and are not very smart. They will wander aimlessly and be unable to find food and water without guidance. Sheep are prone to getting sick, stuck, or injured. They need a shepherd to help them and care for them as they struggle. Sheep are unable to survive on their own and desperately need a shepherd. 

Ezekiel knew this, and he knew the problem if the Shepherd quit caring for the sheep. Ezekiel likened Israel to sheep and the leaders of Israel to the Shepherd. He gives a crushing indictment of the leaders of Israel. 

Ezekiel 34:2; 4, “Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?” 4 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.” 

What happens when the shepherds fail to do their job? The sheep suffer. The nation of Israel lacked a leader to point them to God, and therefore, they fell away into idol worship and wound up as exiles and slaves in Babylon. Sheep need a shepherd. Israel needed a shepherd, and we need a shepherd too. We need guidance and help, or else we will wander away from the truth of God’s word, we will falter, and become slaves to sin. 

But in the midst of Israel’s slavery, God promised to send a Shepherd to care for them. 

Ezekiel 34:22-23, “22 I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 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.” 

God will not leave his flock alone. He promised to rescue them. And how would he do this? By sending a good shepherd from the line of David. Years after this prophecy from Ezekiel, Jesus Christ would say to his disciples,

John 10:14-15,  “14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus came to rescue us, helpless and needy sheep. He laid down his life to protect, save, and redeem the sheep. Now, he offers all who would believe to become part of His flock. A flock that will know peace, security, comfort, and love from their good shepherd. Would you follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd? When He calls, will you respond by joining His flock and following Him?