Proper 29: Old Testament, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24             

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

If you are a preacher of God’s Word, or someone who stands before others with an open Bible ready to teach, you should regularly read Ezekiel chapter 34. It is an account of God “getting in the grill” of anyone who has the heavy responsibility of teaching God’s truth to God’s people. And most specifically those that pretended that role in Ezekiel’s day. They were a mess. “Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep” (Ezed. 34:2b-3).

Preacher? Teacher? Do the sheep go from your presence well fed and knowing where they need to come for more? You see in our day, comparatively little interest is given to “doctrine” (dirty word), theology (dirty word) or dogma (incredibly dirty word) because we live in an age where religious consumerism and self-interest has fueled both shepherd and sheep to have it their way. Sounds like a burger commercial, doesn’t it? 

The sheep bear their own responsibility, but this one is for the shepherds. The shepherds of Israel were more concerned with filling their own bellies than they were with heralding the truth to God’s flock. The result? Confusion. Disconnection. Idolatry and filth. That’s what happens when God’s people are not fed. Of course the world goes in that direction without submitting to the Word of the Lord, but God’s people should never have to. So the LORD Himself steps in. “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out” (Ezek. 34:11). 

You see the critical little word in that sentence? It’s “my”. The sheep belong to God and not to the shepherds. They do not have the freedom to teach whatever they will, to tickle the ears or feed their own bellies at the expense of the lives of God’s sheep. God will go after  them. He will not leave them on their own as fodder for wolves. NO! The tragedy? God is more than willing to share the task. But it takes a special person. God-called. God-prepared. And God-sustained. And because of that, may I say, God-seeking. Isn’t that the type of shepherd you want? If it is a faithful man, how wonderful. But here, how marvelous to know God Himself will step in if needed. God will never leave Himself without a witness. Under-shepherd, or the True Shepherd. God be praised!