Month: November 2024

Ezekiel 34:11-16, NKJV

In verse 10 Ezekiel prophesied of God’s intervention on behalf of His people, Judah, that irresponsible leaders failed. The Lord God said: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.” The Lord declared His love and protection of Judah from selfish, corrupt leaders. “The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works” (Ps.145:17, NLT). “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD” (Jer. 17:7). 

In Ezekiel 34:11-16 the Lord promised to restore His people. He declared that He Himself will search for His sheep and seek them out. Though the shepherds who were supposed to care for them failed, the Lord God said that He will take the responsibility of His people. He will be their Shepherd and deliver them from exile “from all the places where they scattered on a cloudy and dark day.” In other words, God promised to bring His people out of Babylonian exile (other places too) and restore every Jew to Israel. There are consequences for your sins. Judah and their leaders caused them to be driven into exile. But ultimately, it was God Himself who carried out the punishment for His people’s repeated disobedience. However, the true Shepherd promises to restore His flock. Obey God and be kind to others. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!

Ezekiel 34:10, NKJV

In verse 10 Ezekiel prophesied of God’s intercession to save His peoplethat the irresponsible leaders failed. “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”

God is our Creator, and everything belongs to him. He expected the shepherds to shepherd His people. Failure to do so was like turning against Him. Romans 8:31b asks: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” God’s love for His people is everlasting, and no one can be against us. Paul said that ^“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32, AMP)? 

Ezekiel continued the prophecy, saying God promised to “require my flock at their hands” (v.10b). Shepherds should be careful to not selfishly neglect God’s sheep and turn against Him. The God of love promised to intercede for His people and pour out His wrath, holding the irresponsible shepherds accountable for mistreatment of His sheep. This is a sharp reminder that we should not become enemies to the Lord. The law of reaping states that every person will reap what they sow and be responsible for their own destiny. God holds leaders accountable; He expects them to be just in the service they give in the church and community.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!

Ezekiel 34:7-10, NKJV

Ezekiel repeated the prophetic judgment the God of Israel declared against the shepherds for neglecting His sheep, and that He would hold them accountable for their actions. 

The prophet told the shepherds to hear the word of the Lord (v.7): “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock” (v.8) – therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord (v.9)! Note the repetition: “O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord” (vv.7,9); they stressed the negligent shepherds’ judgment and His people’s deliverance.

Verse 10 continued the prophecy of God’s Intercession to save His people that the irresponsible leaders failed. Thus says the Lord God “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them (v.10).” 

This is evidence that the Lord loves His people; He prophesied to intercede for their protection from irresponsible, corrupt leaders. Every action He takes is for the benefit of all His creation, and without doubt “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works” (Ps. 145:17, KJV). Therefore, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD” (Jer. 17:7). 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

The Lord God of Israel commanded rulers of Israel, especially the kings and their officials, to shepherd His people. Their responsibility was to take care of them – that is, feed them, provide them leadership, and protect and defend them. Yes, the shepherds were responsible for taking care of God’s chosen people, but they failed. Instead of taking care of God’s people, many of the leaders provided for themselves and neglected the people.

Therefore, the Lord God of Israel issued a grievous declaration against the shepherds of Israel. The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, saying to him, (v.1), “Son of man, prophesy to the shepherds of Israel that there will be great sorrow to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks (v.2)? 

You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock (v.3). The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost, but with force and cruelty you have ruled them (v.4). So, they were  scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered (v.5). My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them” (v.6).

Irresponsible leaders will be held accountable for their selfish disregard of God’s people whether in the church or the community.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

This passage began with Jesus having revealed Himself to His disciples for the third time after His resurrection (v.14). In vv.15-17 after His disciples had finished eating, Jesus tested the love and faith of Simon Peter. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Then Jesus commissioned Simon Peter to “Feed My lambs” (v.15). Jesus’ purpose for His disciples, including Simon Peter’s role as a future leader of the church, is becoming more evident. 

Jesus asked Simon Peter a second time, “Do you love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” This time Jesus gave him the commission to “Tend My sheep” (v.16). Jesus repeated the question a third time. Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus commanded him to “Feed My sheep” (v.17). 

The repetition of the question three times was a necessary test for Simon Peter. He had fallen from his relationship with Jesus Christ when he denied Him three times. So, perhaps each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” he reflected on the Father’s revelation that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Therefore, confession of his love for Christ three times confirmed his repentance; he was ready to be restored in relationship and ministry with Christ Jesus. Jesus is purposeful in all His ways. Will you trust His purpose for you?

Lift up your voice and give God glory!