Today we begin worship with:
Ezekiel 34:11, 15
For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.
I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.
As a family we are experiencing new grand babies. Young couples and grandparents alike are challenged by these dear souls. They are slippery in the bath. They are wiggly on the changing table. They are often difficult to get to sleep! A certain honor is given to the parent or grandparent whose calm presence is able to get a fussy baby to sleep.
Those hearing this verse knew sheep (For those of us who don't know sheep, the site Sheep101 gives a great description of their behavior). A sheep that is alone will be stressed. Even the smell of a predator will make a sheep stressed. A sheep that is stressed will not lie down.
We hear in this verse the voice of the Master Shepherd. He will gather the sheep, because only in a flock does a sheep feel protected. Only then will they lie down.
This chapter is not Ezekiel's version of Psalm 23. Instead, Ezekiel 34 is a strong prophecy against the leaders of Israel who have failed to care for its citizens. God is taking up the task personally, because those appointed to do so have not.
No comments:
Post a Comment