Ezechiel - Caput 34

Ezechiel 34.1 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens Ezechiel 34.2 fili hominis propheta de pastoribus Israhel propheta et dices pastoribus haec dicit Dominus Deus vae pastoribus Israhel qui pascebant semet ipsos nonne greges pascuntur a pastoribus Ezechiel 34.3 lac comedebatis et lanis operiebamini et quod crassum erat occidebatis gregem autem meum non pascebatis Ezechiel 34.4 quod infirmum fuit non consolidastis et quod aegrotum non sanastis quod fractum est non alligastis et quod abiectum est non reduxistis quod perierat non quaesistis sed cum austeritate imperabatis eis et cum potentia Ezechiel 34.5 et dispersae sunt oves meae eo quod non esset pastor et factae sunt in devorationem omnium bestiarum agri et dispersae sunt Ezechiel 34.6 erraverunt greges mei in cunctis montibus et in universo colle excelso et super omnem faciem terrae dispersi sunt greges mei et non erat qui requireret non erat inquam qui requireret Ezechiel 34.7 propterea pastores audite verbum Domini Ezechiel 34.8 vivo ego dicit Dominus Deus quia pro eo quod facti sunt greges mei in rapinam et oves meae in devorationem omnium bestiarum agri eo quod non esset pastor neque enim quaesierunt pastores gregem meum sed pascebant pastores semet ipsos et greges meos non pascebant Ezechiel 34.9 propterea pastores audite verbum Domini Ezechiel 34.10 haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego ipse super pastores requiram gregem meum de manu eorum et cessare eos faciam ut ultra non pascant gregem nec pascant amplius pastores semet ipsos et liberabo gregem meum de ore eorum et non erunt ultra eis in escam Ezechiel 34.11 quia haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego ipse requiram oves meas et visitabo eas Ezechiel 34.12 sicut visitat pastor gregem suum in die quando fuerit in medio ovium suarum dissipatarum sic visitabo oves meas et liberabo eas de omnibus locis quo dispersae fuerant in die nubis et caliginis Ezechiel 34.13 et educam eas de populis et congregabo eas de terris et inducam eas in terram suam et pascam eas in montibus Israhel in rivis et in cunctis sedibus terrae Ezechiel 34.14 in pascuis uberrimis pascam eas et in montibus excelsis Israhel erunt pascuae eorum ibi requiescent in herbis virentibus et in pascuis pinguibus pascentur super montes Israhel Ezechiel 34.15 ego pascam oves meas et ego eas accubare faciam dicit Dominus Deus Ezechiel 34.16 quod perierat requiram et quod abiectum erat reducam et quod confractum fuerat alligabo et quod infirmum erat consolidabo et quod pingue et forte custodiam et pascam illas in iudicio Ezechiel 34.17 vos autem greges mei haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego iudico inter pecus et pecus arietum et hircorum Ezechiel 34.18 nonne satis vobis erat pascuam bonam depasci insuper et reliquias pascuarum vestrarum conculcastis pedibus vestris et cum purissimam aquam biberetis reliquam pedibus vestris turbabatis Ezechiel 34.19 et oves meae his quae conculcata pedibus vestris fuerant pascebantur et quae pedes vestri turbaverant haec bibebant Ezechiel 34.20 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus ad eos ecce ego ipse iudico inter pecus pingue et macilentum Ezechiel 34.21 pro eo quod lateribus et umeris inpingebatis et cornibus vestris ventilabatis omnia infirma pecora donec dispergerentur foras Ezechiel 34.22 salvabo gregem meum et non erit ultra in rapinam et iudicabo inter pecus et pecus Ezechiel 34.23 et suscitabo super ea pastorem unum qui pascat ea servum meum David ipse pascet ea et ipse erit eis in pastorem Ezechiel 34.24 ego autem Dominus ero eis in Deum et servus meus David princeps in medio eorum ego Dominus locutus sum Ezechiel 34.25 et faciam cum eis pactum pacis et cessare faciam bestias pessimas de terra et qui habitant in deserto securi dormient in saltibus Ezechiel 34.26 et ponam eos in circuitu collis mei benedictionem et deducam imbrem in tempore suo pluviae benedictionis erunt Ezechiel 34.27 et dabit lignum agri fructum suum et terra dabit germen suum et erunt in terra sua absque timore et scient quia ego Dominus cum contrivero catenas iugi eorum et eruero eos de manu imperantium sibi Ezechiel 34.28 et non erunt ultra in rapinam gentibus neque bestiae terrae devorabunt eos sed habitabunt confidenter absque ullo terrore Ezechiel 34.29 et suscitabo eis germen nominatum et non erunt ultra inminuti fame in terra neque portabunt amplius obprobria gentium Ezechiel 34.30 et scient quia ego Dominus Deus eorum cum eis et ipsi populus meus domus Israhel ait Dominus Deus Ezechiel 34.31 vos autem greges mei greges pascuae meae homines estis et ego Dominus Deus vester dicit Dominus Deus

Ezechiel : Caput 34

Ezekiel Chapter 34: A Call to Reflect on Spiritual Leadership Ezekiel chapter 34 addresses Israel's leaders directly and announces the promise of a new shepherd. This passage raises a fundamental question: How does God view the care of His flock? Using a powerful metaphor of shepherds and sheep, Ezekiel criticizes failing leaders while promising direct divine care. This chapter addresses essential themes such as responsible leadership, God's unconditional love for His people, and the Messianic promise that resonates through the ages. Furthermore, Ezekiel 34 predicts a future of peace and prosperity for God's people.

Let's consider together five biblical passages that reflect the promises of this hopeful chapter.

John 10:11-13

In this passage, Jesus declares: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." He contrasts the good shepherd with the bad shepherds, recalling Ezekiel's criticism of Israel's leaders. This contrast underscores the responsibility and sacrifice that a true spiritual leader must embody.

Jeremiah 23:1-2

Jeremiah, echoing Ezekiel, warns: "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" This cry of alarm from the Lord underscores the seriousness of the negligence of leaders who have failed to care for God's people. The consequences of their actions are clear, and a call to repentance is issued.

1 Peter 5:2-4

The apostle Peter exhorts Church leaders: "Shepherd the flock of God under your care." This instruction emphasizes the importance of kindness and service, rather than acting out of obligation or greed. Peter also emphasizes the need to serve as an example to the flock, a fundamental principle for any Christian leader.

Psalm 23:1-3

Psalm 23 begins with "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This passage portrays God as the good shepherd, contrasting with the bad shepherds criticized in Ezekiel 34. The promise of guidance and comfort is a source of hope for all believers.

Isaiah 40:11

Isaiah describes God tenderly: "As A shepherd, he cares for his flock." This verse illustrates God's promise to care for his people, a direct echo of the promises made in Ezekiel 34. God is presented as a caring shepherd, carrying the lambs and lovingly guiding the sheep. Conclusion Ezekiel chapter 34 reminds us of the importance of responsible and loving spiritual leadership. Through these biblical passages, we can reflect on our own role within the Christian community and how we can embody the love and care God offers us. Whether we are leaders or followers, may we always seek to be shepherds after God's own heart.