My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.' My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill.This phrase reflects the spiritual condition of Israel, often depicted as God's flock. The imagery of sheep going astray is common in Scripture, symbolizing the people's tendency to wander from God's commandments and guidance. Mountains and high hills were frequently sites of idolatrous worship in ancient Israel, where altars to false gods were erected (1 Kings 14:23). This indicates that the people not only physically strayed but also spiritually, engaging in practices contrary to God's law. The shepherds, or leaders, failed in their duty to guide and protect the flock, leading to their dispersion. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages, often through vivid imagery and symbolic actions. 2. The Flock Represents the people of Israel, God's chosen people, who have gone astray due to poor leadership and their own disobedience. 3. Mountains and High Hills Symbolic of places of idolatry and false worship. In ancient Israel, these were often sites where people engaged in pagan practices. 4. Scattering Refers to the dispersion of the Israelites among the nations due to their unfaithfulness and the failure of their leaders to guide them properly. 5. Shepherds Though not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Ezekiel 34 addresses the leaders of Israel, who failed in their duty to care for and guide the people. Teaching Points The Responsibility of LeadershipLeaders are accountable for the spiritual well-being of those they lead. Just as the shepherds of Israel were judged for their neglect, so too are leaders today called to care for their flock with diligence and love. The Danger of Idolatry The mountains and high hills symbolize places of idolatry. Believers must guard against allowing anything to take the place of God in their lives, recognizing the subtle ways idolatry can manifest. God's Relentless Pursuit Despite the scattering, God’s heart is to seek and save the lost. Believers are called to join in this mission, reaching out to those who have strayed from the faith. The Need for Community Isolation leads to vulnerability. Christians are encouraged to remain connected to the body of Christ, where they can find support, accountability, and growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of sheep and shepherds in Ezekiel 34:6 help us understand the relationship between God and His people?2. In what ways can modern-day believers ensure they are not "scattered" or led astray by false teachings or distractions? 3. How can church leaders today learn from the failures of the shepherds in Ezekiel 34 to better care for their congregations? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt "scattered" or distant from God. What steps did you take, or can you take, to return to the fold? 5. How does the role of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10 provide comfort and assurance in your personal walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23Contrasts the failed shepherds of Israel with the Lord as the perfect Shepherd who provides, guides, and protects His flock. John 10 Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, who knows His sheep and lays down His life for them, fulfilling the role that the leaders of Israel failed to accomplish. Isaiah 53:6 Speaks of all people going astray like sheep, emphasizing the universal need for a shepherd to guide and save. Matthew 9:36 Jesus' compassion for the crowds, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, highlights His role as the true Shepherd who seeks the lost.
People David, EzekielPlaces JerusalemTopics Astray, Face, Flock, Hill, Inquiring, Mountains, None, Scattered, Search, Searched, Seek, Seeking, Sheep, Sought, Surface, Troubled, Wandered, Wandering, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 34:6 7786 shepherd, king and leader 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 34:6 NIVEzekiel 34:6 NLT Ezekiel 34:6 ESV Ezekiel 34:6 NASB Ezekiel 34:6 KJV Ezekiel 34:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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