I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. I Myself will tend My flockThis phrase emphasizes the personal involvement of God in the care of His people. The Hebrew word for "I Myself" is "אָנֹכִי" (anokhi), which is a strong, emphatic pronoun. It underscores God's direct and personal commitment to His people, contrasting with the negligent shepherds mentioned earlier in the chapter. Historically, this reflects God's promise to take over the leadership and care of Israel, which had been mismanaged by corrupt leaders. The imagery of God as a shepherd is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, evoking the pastoral care and guidance that a shepherd provides to his sheep. and make them lie down declares the Lord GOD Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites. 2. The Lord GOD The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks through Ezekiel to promise care and restoration for His people. 3. The Flock Symbolic of the people of Israel, often depicted as sheep in need of guidance and protection. 4. Shepherds of Israel The leaders and rulers of Israel who failed in their duty to care for the people, leading to God's intervention. 5. Babylonian Exile The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, a time of judgment and displacement for the Israelites. Teaching Points God's Personal CareGod Himself promises to tend to His people, highlighting His personal involvement and commitment to their well-being. Rest and Security The promise to make the flock lie down signifies peace and safety, which God provides amidst turmoil and uncertainty. Failure of Human Leadership The context of failed shepherds serves as a warning against neglectful or self-serving leadership in any community. Christ as the Fulfillment Jesus, the Good Shepherd, embodies God's promise to care for His people, offering spiritual guidance and salvation. Trust in God's Sovereignty Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereign plan and His ability to provide and protect, even when human leaders fail. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of God as a shepherd in Ezekiel 34:15 enhance our understanding of His character and relationship with His people?2. In what ways can we experience the rest and security that God promises to His flock in our daily lives? 3. How does the failure of the shepherds in Ezekiel's time serve as a warning for leaders today, both in the church and in other areas of life? 4. How does Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd fulfill the promise made in Ezekiel 34:15, and what implications does this have for our faith? 5. Reflecting on the connection between Ezekiel 34:15 and Psalm 23, how can we apply the principles of divine guidance and provision in our personal walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23This psalm portrays the Lord as a shepherd who provides, guides, and protects, echoing the promise in Ezekiel 34:15. John 10:11-14 Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, fulfilling the promise of God to personally tend to His flock. Isaiah 40:11 Describes God as a shepherd who gathers and gently leads His flock, reinforcing the imagery of care and protection. Jeremiah 23:1-4 Warns against false shepherds and promises that God will raise up faithful shepherds, paralleling the critique and promise in Ezekiel 34. Revelation 7:17 Depicts the Lamb as a shepherd who leads His people to living waters, a future fulfillment of God's shepherding care.
People David, EzekielPlaces JerusalemTopics Affirmation, Cause, Declares, Feed, Flock, Lead, Lie, Myself, Rest, Says, Sheep, Shepherd, Sovereign, TendDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 34:15 5409 metaphor Library The Church of ChristThis, then, is the meaning of the text; that God would make Jerusalem and the places round about his hill a blessing. I shall not, however, use it so this morning, but I shall use it in a more confined sense--or, perhaps, in a more enlarged sense--as it applies to the church of Jesus Christ, and to this particular church with which you and I stand connected. "I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 That None Should Enter on a Place of Government who Practise not in Life what they have Learnt by Study. Discourse on the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit How to Make Use of Christ as the Life when the Soul is Dead as to Duty. The Shepherd of Our Souls. Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy. The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom The Eighth Commandment That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good Livers, But, through the Zeal of Righteousness, Rigid against the vices of Evildoers. Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant. Jesus Makes his First Disciples. Second Great Group of Parables. Ezekiel Links Ezekiel 34:15 NIVEzekiel 34:15 NLT Ezekiel 34:15 ESV Ezekiel 34:15 NASB Ezekiel 34:15 KJV Ezekiel 34:15 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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