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