The Gracious Shepherd

Ezekiel 34:7-16

Ezekiel, born, 622 B.C. approx, experienced death of Josiah 609, deportation from Jerus. 597, heard of fall of Jerus. and destruction of temple 586 from exile in southern Mesopotamia where he lived with his wife. The scattering of the sheep, God's people, was not account read in history book or daily newspaper; was first-hand personal experience - he was one of the scattered.
God held Israel's shepherds responsible for the scattering of the sheep Eze_34:5. Rather than being satisfied to condemn the shepherds and abandon the sheep, God's sovereign and gracious plan required His own personal intervention.

I. Nature of the sheep

Sheep w/o shepherd follow their nature - wander from safety, easily injured by various misfortunes, suffer illness from lack of proper attention.

Words God uses through Ezekiel to describe sheep:

• lost Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - out of the fold
  - disoriented w/no idea of location
  - no sense of direction or purpose; aimless

• scattered Eze_34:5-6; Eze_34:12
  - disconnected from the flock
  - bereft of shepherd's care and oversight
  - vulnerable to all who would do harm

• broken Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - in body
  - in constitution
  - result of exposure to elements, predators, danger

• sick Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - suffering from disease
  - weak and sickly
  - resulting from lack of attention to injury
  

Apply to sheep of God's flock:

- in need of saving: follows Jesus' seeking Luk_19:10
- disconnected from the church, the body of believers
- broken in spirit and without hope; dysfunctional in relationships
- suffering from lifestyle "without God"; not whole & needing a physician Mat_9:12-13; sinners in need of repentance
- without any resources, initiative, or understanding to bring about change -- total inability to save ourselves

II. Work of the shepherd

Sixteen times God uses action words to describe work of shepherd:

• search, seek out, bring back, gather, deliver Eze_34:4; Eze_34:11-13; Eze_34:16
  - initiating the search process without a request
  - meticulously pursuing each individual sheep in order to restore them to the flock
  - rescuing from dangerous situations
  
  
• feed, make lie down Eze_34:13-15
  - pasturing the flock
  - providing nourishment
  - place of safety, security
  

• bind Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - medicating and bandaging the wounded
  - splinting the broken bone
  

• strengthen Eze_34:4; Eze_34:16
  - care for in a way that restores to health
  - provide opportunities for exercise that encourage building of strength
  

Apply to relationship between God and His flock -- how can we count on Him to care for us:

- seeks out the lost; remember Luk_19:10
- brings the lost back, restores them to the flock (body of Christ), restoring them to proper relationship
- delivers the lost from lost condition, slavery to sin and exposure to harm
- places under His sheltering care - safe, secure, nurturing
- feeds with the spiritual food necessary for growth and proper function within the body
- heals the brokenhearted and binds up [emotional] wounds
- orchestrates the building up of strength of our faith

Understanding and experiencing the sort of care God gives to His people should cause us to:

• trust and remain as close to the Gracious Shepherd as possible

• encourage other members of flock to remain close and faithful

• feed, heal and strengthen those in need (remember God's case against "the shepherds of Israel" Eze_34:4-6)

• seek out others to bring into the flock

Can you say with the hymnwriter

My faith has found a resting place,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Look at the words of the last verse:

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

Is that your? I trust so.