The Gospel According to Ezekiel, Chapters 34

Context from Ezekiel's Recommissioning

Last week we examined chapter 33 and the recommissioning of Ezekiel. Back in chapter 3, we saw the circumstances of his initial commissioning. To bring a message of judgment, Ezekiel needed a burning sense of God's holiness within him. God warned him he would be among briers, thorns, thistles, and scorpions—like sitting on scorpions as a prophet of judgment.

The first 32 chapters focused primarily on judgment against Israel and surrounding nations. Yet even in those judgments, the gospel shone through. Ezekiel 18 revealed God's heart: He desires the wicked to turn and live rather than die. Why would Israel choose death when salvation was available?

The answer lies in their preference for sin over righteousness. Pride and sin prevent hearing the gospel, even in judgment texts. We hear the word but fail to act on it. Hearing faithful preaching becomes mere entertainment, like a concert, rather than transformation.

Today, people endure less sound doctrine than in Ezekiel's day, preferring what tickles their ears. The recommissioning emphasizes listening and acting on God's message. A key phrase throughout Ezekiel—and the Old Testament—is "you will know that I am the Lord." Acknowledge God's authority and obey.

Obeying means making God your primary source of joy, satisfaction, worship, and service—no idolatry. Doing the word saves from sin and brings a lifestyle of privilege and blessing. God's word never returns void; it accomplishes its purpose.

Effectiveness in glorifying and enjoying God is possible in any circumstance, for it depends on faithfulness, not ease.

The Failure of Human Shepherds

Ezekiel 34:1–10
“Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened; the diseased you have not healed; the broken you have not bound up; the scattered you have not brought back nor have you sought for the lost, but with force and with severity you have dominated them.’ They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock.’ Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.”’”

This passage fits the transition from judgment to restoration in Ezekiel. Before full restoration, God addresses remaining issues. The righteous cannot trust in their own righteousness; the wicked must recognize their danger. Everyone must trust God's word as already fulfilled.

The shepherds—kings and leaders—have failed utterly. History shows cycles of good and bad kings, but sin reigned for 400 years. God takes seriously how leaders treat His people. Yet the emphasis is not merely better human shepherds. Human shepherds always fail; no one is adequate. This creates hopelessness, pointing to the need for something greater.

God as the True Shepherd

Ezekiel 34:11–16
“For thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down in good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,’ declares the Lord God. ‘I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.’”

Ezekiel 34:17–31 (selected)
“As for you, My flock, thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats... I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd... I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land... They will know that I am the Lord their God and with them and that they, the house of Israel, are My people,’ declares the Lord God. ‘As for you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord God.”

Human shepherds fail, so God Himself will search, seek, gather, feed, lead to rest, bind the broken, and strengthen the sick. He judges between fat sheep (prideful, self-focused) and lean sheep, delivering His flock from prey.

God replaces failed shepherds with Himself, establishing one shepherd: "My servant David"—a type of Christ from David's line. Jesus fulfills this as the Good Shepherd.

John 10:14–16
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.”

Unlike selfish shepherds, Jesus lays down His life for the sheep. He alone is the Shepherd; others are under-shepherds or sheep. Pastors point to Him.

Life Under the Good Shepherd

Rest in God's promises. Avoid becoming fat sheep—prideful, taking from others. God's people give of themselves. Cling to Christ's righteousness.

This Shepherd provides rest, green pastures, still waters, restoration, protection, goodness, and mercy—echoing Psalm 23. Without Him, life is chaos and danger from sin. With Him, constant shepherding through discipline and protection brings showers of blessing, security, and fruitfulness.

Even difficulties teach us to long for the future life, despising present trials for eternal joy with God. Trust Him; He never fails. Run to this Shepherd, abandoning sin. Lean sheep—abused, mistreated—find perfect care in Him, who eliminates sin's ruin and provides eternal hope.