Introduction

Ezekiel 34:1–10: Shepherds protected their flocks from being stolen, killed by wild animals, and from wandering into danger. This metaphor is applied to Israel’s leaders, most of whom had not been good shepherds. Because of their evil and neglect, the sheep (the people of Israel) were killed or scattered across the earth.

Today’s Key Verse: Ezekiel 34:10b

[The Sovereign LORD said:] “I will rescue my sheep …”

Reading

34 The Lord spoke to me. 2 “Mortal man,” he said, “denounce the rulers of Israel. Prophesy to them, and tell them what I, the Sovereign Lord, say to them: You are doomed, you shepherds of Israel! You take care of yourselves, but never tend the sheep. 3 You drink the milk, wear clothes made from the wool, and kill and eat the finest sheep. But you never tend the sheep. 4 You have not taken care of the weak ones, healed the ones that are sick, bandaged the ones that are hurt, brought back the ones that wandered off, or looked for the ones that were lost. Instead, you treated them cruelly. 5 Because the sheep had no shepherd, they were scattered, and wild animals killed and ate them. 6 So my sheep wandered over the high hills and the mountains. They were scattered over the face of the earth, and no one looked for them or tried to find them.

7 “Now, you shepherds, listen to what I, the Lord, am telling you. 8 As surely as I am the living God, you had better listen to me. My sheep have been attacked by wild animals that killed and ate them because there was no shepherd. My shepherds did not try to find the sheep. They were taking care of themselves and not the sheep. 9 So listen to me, you shepherds. 10 I, the Sovereign Lord, declare that I am your enemy. I will take my sheep away from you and never again let you be their shepherds; never again will I let you take care only of yourselves. I will rescue my sheep from you and not let you eat them.

Reflect

Do you have responsibilities to care for others? In what ways did Israel’s leaders fail to take care of the people? What did they do instead? What was God’s message to them? Are there places in the world today where people are not being cared for by their leaders?

Pray

Shepherding God, may I reach out today to those I encounter who are in need. Guard me against selfish desires. May my words and actions this day reflect your tender love and care. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Ezekiel 34:11–31: The LORD God is Israel’s shepherd.