ESOCS Devotional 28 July 2022
TEXT: EZEKIEL 34:11-16
MEMORY VERSE: “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong: I will feed them with judgement.” Ezekiel 34: 16 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Ezekiel 34 is addressed to those people of God who have been living in exile in Babylon. These “shepherds” have totally failed in their responsibilities. Instead of feeding their sheep, they had been fattening themselves. They had neglected the sick, the injured, and the lost. Their rule had not been kind but harsh. The “scattered” sheep is a clear reference to the exile. The saying consists of a sharp criticism of the failure of the shepherds, but with a glimmer of hope of rescue for the sheep, that is, the people Israel (vs 2–6).
The first saying in this chapter begins with “Thus saith the Lord God” and then continues with a harsh word directed at the “shepherds” which is a common metaphor for kings, pastors or political leaders.
And now for the good news. The people’s leaders had failed but there is a search and rescue operation going on. Everyone knows the story Jesus told about the good shepherd who went in search of the one sheep that was lost (Luke 15:3-7). Now, says Ezekiel, just such an operation is going on.
The Lord, the Good Shepherd, has not forsaken those who are scattered in the gloom and darkness of exile, but is searching them out. That God will rescue them and bring them home (13-14). That God will make them to lie down in green pastures and will be their caring Shepherd (15-16). And they will be fed with judgement.
The message of Ezekiel the prophet was that the people of God are never lost. “As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep” (v 12). God is like a good shepherd, caring for His flock. Regardless of their situation. God always knows where they are.
We are sheep and the Lord is our Shepherd! Psalm 23 tells us about that. Jesus spoke about that in Luke 15. It makes a great deal of difference, when you are lost (in the night of despair and depression, or in the reality of a coal mine or the collapse of a building) to know that there is a search operation going on! The Gospel of John tells us that we do have a Good Shepherd who is roaming the world searching for judgement; none other than Jesus Christ (John 10).
With God, we are never lost. God is the great Shepherd who watches over us. God leads us to safe pastures, away from the darkness. Not only is God the good Shepherd, God places good shepherds in our midst. And it is people of faith who model themselves after the good Shepherd and become good shepherds themselves.
- Not only does God find those who are lost, God provides a safe haven for those who are rescued.
- Lord, constantly keep watch over me, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Ezekiel 3:4–11; John 21:15–22; Acts 11:1–18
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ESOCS Devotional 28 July 2022
