Shepherds and Sheep Several times through the N.T. God uses the metaphor of Shepherds and Sheep to describe His people and those who lead, feed, and care for them. Consider briefly: John 10:1-18, with Jesus as the Good Shepherd Acts 20:17-32, where the Ephesian Elders were charged to “guard…the flock” and to “shepherd the church” 1Peter 5:1-4, where again Elders were charged to “shepherd the flock of God” voluntarily, according to the will of God, not for sordid gain, but with eagerness, not ‘lording’ over, but by being examples.

But interestingly enough, The imagery of God’s people as sheep and those who lead them as shepherds is not ‘new’ in the New Testament. Several of the Old Testament prophets, through God’s inspiration of course, used the same metaphor(s). We’ll look at but one of them this morning from Ezekiel 34, and from it hope to gain valuable insight to this relationship between modern Shepherds and Sheep.

First, a little background for Ezekiel By 586 B.C., the southern two tribes of Judah (which was all that remained intact of God’s people since the northern ten tribes were taken in 722 by the Assyrians) had been taken as captives to Babylon. Since the Seed promise made to Abraham (see Gen.12:1-3) to “bless all nations of the earth” through one of His descendents was not yet fulfilled, God was sparing a remnant of His people through whom ultimately Jesus Christ would come as the fulfillment. So, even though God had given them as captives over to the Babylonians as punishment, He was not finished with them- they were still His people, and in need of leadership….thus sheep needing shepherds.

Enter Ezekiel! Ezekiel was sent as a prophet to the sons of Israel, 2:1-3. But there are couple of things about his call and commission from God that are worthy of our note: Free will is still present in the people- he could not “make them” do right, 2:4-5. Ezekiel should not fear as long as he spoke the words of God, 2:6-7. Before speaking the word of God to the people, he had to filled with them himself, 2:8 – 3:3. With these and other preparations, he was sent to speak God’s words to Israel, 3:4-21.

But…. God warns Ezekiel of the stubbornness and rebellion of these His own people- that they wouldn’t listen to the prophet, even as they had not listen to Him, 3:7. The question is “Why?” How had God’s people gotten to the point that they listened neither to God nor those who sent to speak for Him? Skip ahead to chapter 34 for at least part of the answer!

Israel’s Failures / Rebellion was due at least in part to False Shepherds! Note the problems identified in 34:1-10: They fed themselves without feeding the flock, vv.1-3. While shepherds must first be on guard for themselves, Acts 20:28, their primary responsibility is for the sheep, John 10:13. They did not strengthen, heal, bind up, bring back, or seek, v.4a. This is as much a part of shepherding as is feeding and overseeing, cf. 2Tim.2:24-26; 1Thess.5:12-15. Instead of the previous, they used force, severity, and domination, vv.4b-5. This is in direct opposition to the instructions given by the Chief Shepherd, 1Pet.5:3-4; Matt.20:20-28; and, It results in the scattering and destruction of the sheep, vv.5-6. See the contrast in 3John 5-12.

Israel’s Failures / Rebellion was due at least in part to False Shepherds! But failures to do what God requires always has consequences! Gal.6:7-8 And it did here also, vv.7-10. So God promised to care for the sheep Himself, vv.11-16. These promises were ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the “Good Shepherd” who was willing to lay down His life for the sheep! vv.23-24 > John 10:11-18 We’ll continue and conclude the chapter in our next lesson.

Shepherds and Sheep Ezekiel 34 In our lesson this morning, we noted how God first blamed the ‘Shepherds of Israel’ for the spiritual despondency and rebellion of the flock. We noted that the Shepherds were charged with: Feeding themselves rather than the sheep, vv.1-3 Failing to strengthen, heal, bind up, seek & bring back the sheep, v.4a Using force, severity, and domination, vv.4b-5. And from these, we deduced some lessons for us. Now let’s take a quick look at the rest of the chapter.

But God also blamed the Sheep themselves for Israel’s Failures and Rebellion! Note 34:17-24: God said He would judge “between one sheep and another, between rams and male goats.” v.17 From this understand: judgment with God is individual, not congregational, cf. 2Cor.5:10; while we can and must help one another with that which is excessive, no one can be a Christian for you, Gal.6:1-5; nor will any sheep be saved just because of association with the right flock, John 10:3-5; Rev.3:3-5. there were some sheep who were sick, broken, and lost- but some were also fat and strong by feeding on the others, v.16; (see also vv.20-22; Matt.23:13-14; Phil.2:3-7) God would also judge between the “rams and male goats”- surely a similar reference to Matt.25:32-33.

But God also blamed the Sheep themselves for Israel’s Failures and Rebellion! Note 34:17-24: God also charged the fat sheep/ male goats with spoiling the good pasture and good water with their feet, vv.18-19. In selfishly thinking only of themselves, the sheep (like the shepherds, cf. vv.3-4) spoil even that which they don’t consume of God’s gracious provision by trampling it, cf. Matt.23:13-15; Luke 16:19-21ff. Many prophecies have both primary and secondary applications. Perhaps a secondary fulfillment or application can be seen here with regard to Jew and Gentile relations in the church. Did not the Jew spoil the blessings of God? cf. Rom.3:1-9 > 11:11-21.

But God also blamed the Sheep themselves for Israel’s Failures and Rebellion! Note 34:17-24: God charged the fat sheep/ male goats with violence toward the lean and weak sheep, vv.20-22. He said the fat sheep pushed with side and shoulder, and thrust their horns at all the weak until they were scattered, v.21. Sound familiar? Isn’t that how the fat get fatter and the weak get leaner? But that isn’t the way Jesus taught or lived, Matt.5:5,7,9; Luke 13:10-17; 5:29-32; and neither should we! Another secondary application / fulfillment can be seen here with regard to Jew and Gentile relations later in the church. Did not the Jew try to force out the Gentile by persecution and/or circumcision, Acts 4:1-3,17-18; 8:1b-4; Gal.5:1-15?

But God also promised deliverance, feeding, and guidance through “David”! Note 34:17-24: Because of these abuses, and because there was a promise yet to be fulfilled to bless all nations of the earth, God would spare and deliver His sheep, vv.22-24. Physically, this means they, the remnant at least, would return to Judea, vv.22,25-27. Spiritually, this means Jesus, as the descendant of David, would shepherd, guide, and nourish them, Acts 2:25-36; John 10:7-18; 8:12; 6:5-58; 4:7-15.

Conclusions If “we” fail to be God’s flock, it will be because: Our Shepherds failed to properly lead us- let’s work to make sure that doesn’t happen by: not being selfish; strengthening, healing, seeking, and bringing back the sick, broken, and lost; and by using gentleness and wisdom rather than force, severity, and domination. We as sheep failed to heed good leadership by trampling the blessings and provisions of God (spiritually and/or physically); or we treated one another with selfishness and violence- let’s make sure that doesn’t happen either that we may all be ‘one fold, sheep in God’s green pastures’!