34 lines
1.5 KiB
Markdown
34 lines
1.5 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Ezekiel 34:1–10"
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date = "2023-06-09"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel34.1-10)
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The Lord gives Ezekiel an analogy to preach to the people. The Israelites are
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identified as a flock of sheep and the kings and leaders over them were their
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shepherds. These shepherds are condemned for being sefish and greedy, caring
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only for their own comfort and benefit while neglecting health and safety of the
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sheep that provided them with such good things.
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While it is expected that real shepherds would kill and eat a sheep from their
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flock periodically, these shepherds would do so without providing food for
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their sheep in the first place. The sick sheep were not cared for, others
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would wander away and not be sought out, and the ones that stayed behind were
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mistreated with "force and harshness".
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It is no wonder, then, that the sheep scattered through the wilderness and
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became prey for wild beasts. I expect the analogy refers to the way Israel
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turned to idolatry under the rule of evil kings. They wandered away from the
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Lord and His goodness and were consumed by their sin, sacrificing to paga
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deities on "every high hill".
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Because of this, the judgement on the unfaithful shepherds is that they do not
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get to enjoy the goods produced by their flock any more. They are removed from
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their position of power and the sheep are rescued from their harsh rule.
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* * *
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You are a kind and good shepherd to Your people, caring for them in all their
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troubles.
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