Surely it is the “key” word in today’s chapter, Ezekiel 34. Either in the singular or the plural “shepherd” occurs 15 times, according to my count. Used metaphorically, it is a term for Israel’s “leaders,” either political, governmental or spiritual. Yes, Kings and Princes and Judges and Elders and Statesmen and Priests and Prophets, examples.
This likens (compares) the people of Israel to a “flock” then.
And again I remind you to note the new “tone” in the Book of Ezekiel, “hope” and “an expected end,” all kinds of “future blessings!”
First though, God addresses the “careless” shepherds. “And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the SHEPHERDS of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the SHEPHERDS; Woe be to the SHEPHERDS of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the SHEPHERDS feed the flocks?” Verses 1-2, in it for “themselves,” only themselves!
Here’s more of God’s “indictment” to these selfish men: “Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool (of the little sheep), ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered.” Verses 3-5
Of course, God here longs for “better treatment” for His people, “My sheep” he actually says of them in verse 12. See if this sounds like an adaptation of the beautiful 23rd Psalm to you. “So will I (the Lord) seek out my sheep, and will deliver (rescue) them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I (the Lord) will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” Verses 12-16, wherein I counted the pronoun “I” six times! God’s Determination!
Now there’s even more! Looking yet into a future day I believe: “And I (still, the Lord) will set up one shepherd (has to be Jesus) over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David (Jesus) a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land (wolf lie down with lamb): and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be SHOWERS OF BLESSING.” Verses 22-26, what a wonder!
But there’s more of what (must be) the Millennium: “And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land (Israel), and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.” Literally, verses 27-28, “Fear not!”
In verse 29 God promises often “cursed-by-the-world” Israel … “And I will raise up for them a plant of renown!” A plant (name) of honor, glory, good reputation!
Then best of all … “Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are MY PEOPLE, saith the Lord GOD. And ye MY FLOCK, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I AM YOUR GOD, saith the Lord GOD.” Chapter’s end, verses 30-31.
A “saved” Israel, sounds like to me!
Yes, Ezekiel’s message to Israel just got “brighter!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell