Bible Studies
God Will Deliver His Flock (Ezek. 34)
Series: God Speaks to Our People In ExileIntroduction:
1. Shepherding was a common in the Biblical world as farming is in our world. 2. In Israel even today it is common to see shepherds out in the field pasturing their flocks. There are no fences the shepherds merely lead their flocks to the place of pasture and keep watch over them while they eat. 3. Ancient near eastern literature often portrays civil authorities as shepherds (See Daniel I. Block, The Book of Ezekiel, NICOT, vol. 2, p. 275. Note pp. 280-281 for quotes from Etana legend and the Code of Hammarabi.). 4. Ezek. 34 uses this imagery to describe the leaders in Israel. 5. Reading Ezek. 34:1-6. 6. This passage parallels one in Jer. 23:1-6.Discussion:
I. Both passages describe the self-centered abusive actions of the leaders of Israel.A. They have focused attention upon themselves rather than upon caring for the flock.
1. There is nothing wrong with shepherds eating from the flock and clothing themselves from the flock. These are expected actions.
2. But these shepherds did not take care of the flock.
3. They were parasites who exploited and abused the flock.
B. God condemns them.
1. The sickly you have not strengthened.
2. The diseased you have not healed.
3. The broken you have not bound up.
4. The scattered you have not brought back.
5. You have not sought for the lost.
6. But with force and severity you have dominated them.
C. The sheep were scattered and vulnerable to the beasts of the field. Wandering through the land there was no shepherd to search for them, to guide them and care for them.
D. Their shepherds were condemned.
1. Who these shepherds specifically are is not identified in our text.
2. Jer. 23:5 is suggestive that the kings are included.
3. Jer. 23:9ff, 33 condemns both prophets and priest.
4. Perhaps the best understanding of these shepherds is that they denote the leaders of the people generally. The king is certainly representative of the leaders and as the history indicates the leaders left much to be desired and the kings in particular.
E. Notice how these shepherds used their power.
1. To dominate.
2. To take advantage for personal gain.
3. They were like parasites drawing their power from the weak.
II. But the message of this chapter is that God will rescue His flock (34:7-10).A. God is the very antithesis of the leaders of Israel (11- v. 16 esp.).
1. Where they had not searched for the flock, God would bring back the scattered.
2. Where they had not bound up the broken, God would bind them up.
3. Where they had not cared for the sick, God would strengthen them.
B. God will distinguish between the fat and strong who had exploited the others. He will feed them with judgment and deliver the exploited (17-22).
C. Notice how God uses his power.
1. It is used to strengthen, to heal, to care for the flock.
2. God uses His power to deliver the vulnerable from the power mongers.
3. Psa. 23 reiterates this message.
D. While Israel is in Babylonian captivity there is no mention of God delivering them from such external threats. This passage promises deliverance from internal threat.
III. God will set over His flock one shepherd, His servant David (34:23-31).A. This promise harks back to 2 Sam. 7:12 and looks forward to the Messianic kingdom the Jews looked forward to in the intertestimental period.
1. Interestingly David was called from the pasture to serve as shepherd of the people of God (cf. 2 Sam. 5:2).
2. He was promised to never lack a descendent on the throne but with the destruction of Jerusalem what would happen to the promise? Was it broken? Had it collapsed under the power of Nebuchadnezzar and Babylonian rule?
3. Definitely NOT! God is still in control.
B. The nature of this kingdom (25-29).
1. God’s servant would be prince.
2. He will feed God’s flock.
3. There will be a covenant of peace.
4. Harmful beasts will be removed and the flock will dwell securely and sleep in the woods.
5. Showers of blessing will come in their season.
C. Micah 4:1ff also describes the nature of this kingdom. Note Micah 5:2.
D. “Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people.” God had always been their king, but they had rejected Him. Now He would come as deliverer—graciously saving those who had rejected Him.
E. Jesus described Himself as the good shepherd (Jn. 10).
F. The N.T. identifies Jesus as the King, the descendant of David, seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:29-36). They went everywhere preaching to scattered sheep entrance into the kingdom of God. They preached entrance into the kingdom of peace (Eph. 2:17).
G. The title of this series is “God Speaks to Our People in Exile.” I hope you see the relevance of that! We are the people that God has rescued!
IV. Contemporary applications.A. God extends His grace on the basis of His covenantal promises.
1. God has an eternal marriage covenant with His people.
2. Even though we are unfaithful to Him and forfeit the benefits of the relationship He remains true to His covenant and rescues us from the consequences of our sins.
B. While leaders may capitalize on their positions of power and privilege to take advantage of the flock God has the interests of His people at heart.
1. We have spoken extensively about the use of power in our relationships.
a. Recently from Deut. 17:16-17 about how the king was not to be self-focused but people focused. Also from Deut. 16:18-20 about the judges who were to be people focused.
b. Whether political leaders, church leaders, or family leaders our focus needs to be on others rather than upon ourselves. It was the chief shepherd who said, “I did not come to be served but to serve and to give My life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28; cf. 1 Pet. 2:21-25; 5:2-4).
2. Whatever leadership role we may find ourselves in it is our responsibility to be good shepherds caring for the sheep.
3. Like the good shepherd we are to be laying down our lives for the sheep, feeding the flock, caring for their well being, serving our Shepherd (Acts 20:28-30).
C. A shepherd’s role is two-fold. Dominant, fat-sheep must be confronted and the vulnerable must be delivered.
1. Some people are hyper-vigilant in looking out for themselves. They think very little about how what they want (demand) affects the others in the flock.
2. Shepherds have the responsibility to care for all so that all may be healthy.
Conclusion:
1. Like Jacob of old, we can say, “God has been my shepherd all my life to this day” (Gen. 48:15). 2. Indeed He has been our shepherd and He is our shepherd. 3. Are you broken? He binds up. Are you sick? He strengthens. Are you hungry? He makes to lie down in green pastures and leads by quiet waters, restores the soul, guides in paths of righteousness and brings peace.
