The Good Shepherd
“You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” (Ezekiel 34:31)
In the prophet Ezekiel’s day, the nation of Israel was in a bad situation. As a result of years of spiritual and cultural compromise, God had allowed judgment to fall on His people. Jerusalem, the Holy City that had served as a source of pride for the Jewish people, had fallen to the Babylonian conquerors. The best and the brightest people of Israel had been carried away from their homeland to be resettled in Babylon.
God spoke through the prophet, Ezekiel, specifically to the religious leaders of Israel. Using the illustration of shepherds caring for their flocks, the prophet condemned those leaders as bad shepherds. Instead of caring for those they had been called to lead, they were taking advantage of those under their care. The Bible says,
“You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd and no one has gone to search for them.” (Ezekiel 34:4)
That was not the end of the story. Again, through the voice of the prophet, God says,
“I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16)
That promise was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. Identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus said that He came to give abundant life to His sheep; to bring Good News to the poor, to set the captives free, open the eyes of the blind, lift up the oppressed, and proclaim that the time of the Lord’s favor had come. Now that is Good News!
In the prophet Ezekiel’s day, the nation of Israel was in a bad situation. As a result of years of spiritual and cultural compromise, God had allowed judgment to fall on His people. Jerusalem, the Holy City that had served as a source of pride for the Jewish people, had fallen to the Babylonian conquerors. The best and the brightest people of Israel had been carried away from their homeland to be resettled in Babylon.
God spoke through the prophet, Ezekiel, specifically to the religious leaders of Israel. Using the illustration of shepherds caring for their flocks, the prophet condemned those leaders as bad shepherds. Instead of caring for those they had been called to lead, they were taking advantage of those under their care. The Bible says,
“You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd and no one has gone to search for them.” (Ezekiel 34:4)
That was not the end of the story. Again, through the voice of the prophet, God says,
“I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16)
That promise was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. Identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus said that He came to give abundant life to His sheep; to bring Good News to the poor, to set the captives free, open the eyes of the blind, lift up the oppressed, and proclaim that the time of the Lord’s favor had come. Now that is Good News!
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Finding Godly MentorsYes and No in ScriptureFocus Like an ArcherSeeking the Presence of GodA Defining EncounterOnly by GraceOvercoming ExhaustionExcited and Expectant over PrayerThe Five Parts of PrayerThe Still Small VoiceThe Lord’s Amazing PowerHandling PersecutionDiving into God’s WordReceiving EncouragementA Desire To ServeGiving and ServingA Thrill RideThe Sweet Voice of GodGet off the BenchOut of AlignmentFrustration Is InevitableListening Instead of TalkingWatch God MoveWalking in the LightKnown by Your FruitThe Good ShepherdBoldly Stand for ChristHonor the LordPraying in FaithDealing with DoubtLearning To Be Alone
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Witness with Your WordsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchA Personal AnswerA Public AnswerHave You Met Christ?Focus on the GiverSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Full of the Holy SpiritDo Not Quench the Holy SpiritImmeasurably MoreLiving in DenialTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingDefeating DepressionTake Care of Your BodThe End Is NearStand on the Word of GodBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritPowerful Prayers and a BurdenPowerful Prayers and ConfidenceGod Draws Us to HimselfFind Rest in the LordDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
2 Comments
I'm so thankful 🙏 that He can find me wherever I am. And be with me always ❤
JESUS is My LORD And Savior. I PRAISE him and Thank YOU FATHER for Your Grace And MERCY sending JESUS down to bring A WAY to You ! GLORY