Ezekiel 34
Dear RTB’ers,
A fairly straightforward reading today. Israel’s “shepherds” (kings, priests, prophets) are not tending their sheep properly: You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. (v. 3-4) So the Lord Himself will become their shepherd (Ez. 34:11-16).
The only confusion in the chapter is with reference to David: And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken. (vv. 23-24) How would Ezekiel and his fellow exiles interpret these verses? Israel’s king had been deposed; would David’s line continue during their exile or after their prophesied return? Clearly we see these verses as referring to Jesus, our Messiah.
I see Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18) throughout today’s reading. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. AMEN!!
Blessings.
See also: August 12 (2023) / Ezekiel 34-37.