Ezekiel continues in his prophesy’s against shepherds. Men who feed themselves and not the sheep. Jesus would later speak of the same in Matt 7:15.
Ezekiel 34: Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel
1 The word of the LORD came to me:
2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep.
4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.
5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts.
6 My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.
7 "Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
8 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep,
9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.
The Lord GOD Will Seek Them Out
11 "For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.
15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.
16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
17 "As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.
18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet?
19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?
20 "Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.
21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad,
22 I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.
23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.
24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.
The LORD's Covenant of Peace
25 "I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
26 And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.
27 And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them.
28 They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid.
29 And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations.
30 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord GOD.
31 And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD."
Things to think about…
1. Pastors or shepherds have a great responsibility over those they lead and hence their accountability is increased. The first ten verses in Ezek 34 show the desperate need for sheep to be protected and well fed. These shepherds were feeding themselves rather than feeding the sheep. In our day we have heard of many evangelists and church leaders who fleece those who give them money or abuse their influence and fall morally. One way to make sure this doesn’t happen is have an open system of accountability. Know your bible, and therefore know what the pastor is preaching is the truth and make sure he has a good level of moral support and accountability. I praise God for the support I receive at CBC. God is faithful.
2. It says that the sheep were scattered and it was the fault of the shepherds, Ezek 34:5, 6. What about when the disciples (Christ’s sheep) were scattered at His arrest. Was Jesus being neglectful in some way? No. Sometimes sheep run from the truth and their shepherd’s leading and direction. But Jesus did speak of false prophets that come in sheep’s clothing, Matt 7:15. Satan always comes with a disguise or some kind of tempting bait. If he didn’t, none of us would bother with him. We know at the end of the age false teachers will arise, 1Tim 4:1-4, 2Tim 4:3,4 and 2Pet2.
3. Consider Ezek 34:11-16. No doubt this is referring to a time when the Jews ‘the sheep of the Lord’, will return back to their land Israel. This is of course happening in our day like never before in history. Consider who will reign over them in Ezek 34:23, 24, “my servant David”. Clearly this is “Yeshua, the Son of David”, the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Ezek 34:12-24 shows the care that Christ gives for His sheep. Pastors as under-shepherds should be feeding the sheep and making sure they are protected from internal and external strife. Sheep sometimes butt each other, vs 21. Worse still is where false shepherds harass the sheep and muddy the waters that the sheep are called to drink vs 19. Our Lord wants us to be well fed and watered. This comes through teaching the truth of the scriptures and promoting peace and unity within the fellowship. We all have a responsibility to share and show the love of Christ as revealed in the word of God, not just pastors. Please keep praying that this is an ever-present reality at CBC.
5. Praise God for His faithfulness. In Ezek 34:25-31 we see the Lord making a covenant of peace with His sheep where wild beasts are banished and the sheep are led into green pastures, vs 26. The nations will not rise against them and they will find rest. If there is any doubt this is referring to the house of Israel, consider Ezek 34:30. Isn’t this a wonderful picture of what Christ does for His people. One day Israel will be united back with Him and have eternal peace and protection. Have a look at vs 30. Do you think there is a prophetic word here for the ‘house of Israel’? Literal Israel will one day have peace from the surrounding nations.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “True love looks like this” – Reading John 16:1-20.
1. Would all say we trust in the Lord. But what have you trusted in this year – perhaps your health, finances, stable employment. Have things worked out for you this year.
2. The relationship with the disciples was about to change. They would receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus would not be there in person. They were about to go into a season of sorrow. But their sorrow would turn to joy. What did Jesus mean?
3. The Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin, righteousness and judgement. Explain how this happens for us today?
4. True love tells the truth. The only real and living hope is found in Christ. Have you shown true love and Christ’s hope to others by being obedient to the Holy Spirt by telling others of sin, righteousness and judgement.
5. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel.
Prayer Points
1. AGM – 6th Nov after the service.
2. Carols service 18th December – Family fun Day afternoon/evening 3pm-7pm.
3. Christmas Day Service – on a Sunday this year.
4. Pray for the leadership of our country.
5. Pray for the people of Iran and Ukraine.
6. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
7. Health of Ross Goltz, Zac - sciatica
8. More young families and youth into the church.
9. Ministry leaders within the church.
10. Our One for Israel ministry.
11. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the health return of some who have suffered with Covid.
2. More visitors at church on Sunday.
3. Some returning back to church after a while away.
4. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Suzy, Gina, Ashley. Bec on Words and Doug on sound. Thankyou. Fi, Suzy and Maddison in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
5. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Members Meeting – AGM 6th November after the service.
2. Carols service – 18th Dec 3pm to 7pm.
3. Christmas Day service – 9am Dec 25th.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
