Ezekiel 34–36
Common Theme
God confronts corrupt leadership and promises to personally shepherd His people, bringing restoration and renewal both spiritually and physically. He declares His intention to act for the sake of His name, not because of Israel’s merit, and promises to transform hearts and lands.
Questions
- What does it mean for God to be our Shepherd in contrast to human leaders?
- How does God’s motivation to act for the sake of His name reshape our understanding of grace?
God Shot
God reveals Himself as a Shepherd who rescues, feeds, and tends His sheep with justice and compassion. He also shows Himself as a holy Redeemer who restores His people and their land, not because they deserve it, but to uphold the honor of His name.
Deeper✝
Ezekiel 34
The passage conveys a prophecy from the Lord against the shepherds of Israel, criticizing them for neglecting their responsibilities towards the sheep. The shepherds are accused of prioritizing their own needs over those of the flock, failing to care for the weak, sick, and lost sheep, which led to their scattering and vulnerability to wild beasts. The Lord declares that He will hold these shepherds accountable and will no longer allow them to feed themselves at the expense of the sheep. Instead, He promises to personally seek out and rescue His scattered sheep, bringing them back to their own land and providing them with good pasture and care.
The Lord emphasizes His commitment to judge between the sheep, ensuring justice and protection for the weak against the strong. He will appoint a new shepherd, His servant David, to lead and care for them. Additionally, the Lord pledges to establish a covenant of peace, banishing threats and providing security and abundance in the land. The people will recognize the Lord as their God, and they will no longer suffer from hunger or oppression, affirming their identity as His flock.
Ezekiel 35
The LORD commands a prophecy against Mount Seir, declaring it will become a desolation due to its enmity towards Israel. The prophecy states that cities will be laid waste, and those who have shed blood will face judgment. Mount Seir is warned that its arrogance and desire to possess Israel will lead to its downfall. The LORD will make Mount Seir desolate, and its inhabitants will be cut off. Ultimately, this judgment will reveal the LORD’s sovereignty, as the earth rejoices while Mount Seir faces destruction for its actions against Israel.
Ezekiel 36
In this passage, the Lord instructs the prophet to deliver a message to the mountains of Israel, emphasizing their significance and the reproach they have suffered from surrounding nations. The Lord expresses His jealousy and anger towards these nations, particularly Edom, for taking possession of Israel’s land and causing its desolation. He promises restoration, stating that the mountains will flourish again, yielding fruit for the returning people of Israel. The Lord assures that He will multiply the inhabitants and restore the cities, transforming the land from desolation to abundance.
The text also addresses the sins of the house of Israel, highlighting their defilement of the land through idolatry and violence, which led to their scattering among the nations. Despite their unfaithfulness, the Lord expresses concern for His holy name, which has been profaned. He declares that His actions will not be for Israel’s sake but to vindicate His holiness among the nations.
The Lord promises to cleanse Israel from their impurities, give them a new heart and spirit, and ensure they follow His statutes. He assures them of abundance and the end of famine, leading to a time of reflection and repentance for their past iniquities. Ultimately, the passage concludes with a vision of restoration, where the desolate land becomes fruitful, and the people will recognize the Lord’s sovereignty through their renewed state.
✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.