Ezekiel 31 - 36

Shepherds

Chapter 34 of today's reading contains two sections: from verse 1 to 10 is a rebuke to the evil and lax shepherds of Israel, and verses 11 - 31 is a promise by the Lord Himself to be the great Shepherd of Israel.  This chapter has a dual meaning. First, it is a rebuke to the failed shepherds, the kings and religious leaders, of Israel and Judah and a promise of the Lord's deliverance of Israel and restoration of the Jews back to their homeland.

However, the deeper meaning is in the typology of shepherds as ministers.  Those who sold out to the popularity of sin and saw their position as a "paycheck" instead of a position of service to God and to the people.  "You feed yourselves instead of your flocks." (v.2).  In another words, instead of feeding the children of God the true Word of God, they feed themselves the monetary gain by dint of their position.  "You have not taken care of the weak.  You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured." (v.4)  No prayer for the sick, no praying with the spiritually weak.  "You have not  gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost." (v.4)  No counseling and urging the backslider back to Christ.  No witnessing to the lost on the goodness of God's salvation.

These are serious charges made by God to the leaders of the modern day church.  Instead of tending the God's business, they have lined their own pockets with money intended to spread the Gospel.  He speaks, "I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock." (v.10).