“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.” (Ezekiel 34:2-3)
“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.” (Ezekiel 34:11-13)
In this chapter, the Lord turns his attention back to His people, the shepherds of Judah. Using the imagery of a shepherd, he rebukes those who cared for themselves rather than the sheep.
Israel was taken into exile because of their rebellion against the Lord. And those who were to care for their spiritual well-being were actually profiting themselves. This was akin to a shepherd eating all the sheep before they could reproduce. That’s not good for the shepherd or the sheep.
In the second part, the Lord offers great hope by saying he will fill the void of the wicked shepherds by hunting for the sheep himself and restoring them to their land. The Lord will not only find the scattered sheep,
Note the restorative language of 13-14 (and beyond). He will not only bring them out from among the peoples, but he will also restore them to their own land. Then, he will feed them. Why? Because he is the good shepherd.
“So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.’” (John 10:7-18)
Father, help me to see you as the supremely good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Help me to trust that all you do is good and right and for my good. Amen.
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