38 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
38 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Ezekiel 34:11–31"
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date = "2023-06-10"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel34.11-31)
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Now that I've read a little further ahead, I find my self disagreeing with
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the section breaks in the ESV. It seems to me that verses 11–16 go more with
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the first section of the chapter than with the following verses. These tell us
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how the Lord responds to the unfaithfulness of the shepherds who were to watch
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over Israel. The Lord declares that He will go out to the scattered flock and
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find them to rescue them. Though they were scattered abroad among many people,
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He will lead them back to the land He had given to them, and they will be fed
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abundance and rest in peace on the sides of the mountains.
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Starting in verse 17, though, the Lord's attention shifts to individuals within
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the flock, no longer addressing the shepherds who failed in their duty. Some of
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the stronger sheep had been oppressing the weaker sheep, pushing them away from
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the good parts of the pasture and ramming them with their horns to drive them
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away. Not only this, but after eating their fill, these strong rams go to the
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rest of the pasture and trample it down so it can't be eaten. They drink what
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they want from the clear streams, and then stir up the mud so it can't be drunk
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by anyone else.
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Because of this, the Lord will also bring judgement on these cruel sheep.
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The flock will be rescued from predation and will have peace under the Good
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Shepherd, the Messiah, when He comes to guide them. All the wild beasts will
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be banished, and the land will produce abundantly. No more will idolatrous
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temptations stalk God's people to lead them away to destruction. No longer will
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other nations seek to oppress, enslave, or kill God's people, because they all
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will love the Lord and follow His ways.
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* * *
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Your victory is assured; all will acknowledge You as the supreme ruler of
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everything.
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