BibleTools
Ezekiel 34:11
Compare all
9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!
10 Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am aagainst the shepherds, and bI will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall cfeed themselves no more; for I will ddeliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”  

God, the True Shepherd

11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
12 As a ashepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on ba cloudy and dark day.  
13 And aI will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel,1 in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.  
14 aI will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. bThere they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
<< Ezekiel 34:10   Ezekiel 34:12 >>

What Does Ezekiel 34:11 Mean?



Ezekiel 34:1-31

Ezekiel condemns the ministry as a whole for being more concerned for self and paycheck than for the "sheep," the members of the church. Rather than helping, healing, and leading, government was often administered with force and cruelty. Talking the talk was followed far more frequently than walking the walk. God also charges them with defiling the doctrine, which verse 18 pictures as trodden pasture and fouled water. Paul, James, Peter, John, and Jude all warn about "wolves" at the end time infiltrating the flock, introducing another gospel, and rending the sheep.

Is it any wonder respect for the ministry is at low ebb? God Himself is very upset with shepherds who cared more for themselves than for the sheep. Through misuse and abuse, wolves in sheep's clothing ripped and tore the sheep. God and man deplore and reject such a ministry. The ministry today is in sad disarray, distrusted and despised by many. Some ministers are reckoned as hirelings who cared not for the sheep, but only for their paychecks. These men would compromise the truth, even teach what they knew was wrong, to retain their salaries. Zechariah 11:3 describes a forsaken ministry, howling over the loss of their flocks, which they mistreated.

Screaming for "respect for the ministry" will not help. These hurts can only be healed by proper example and time, combined with a forgiving heart, established by God, in those who have been harmed.

Because of these abuses, insidious Laodiceanism, and our natural proclivity to resent any government except our own, we have a church despised and blown apart by God Himself. (Read all of Lamentations, Ezekiel 22:25-29; and 24:21 to confirm who is behind the separation.)

John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)
For the Perfecting of the Saints

Related Topics: Abuse of Ministerial Authority | Example of Leader | Example, Teaching by | Hireling | Laodiceanism | Mercenary | Savage Wolves | Scattering of Church | Wolf Imagery | Wolves in Sheep's Clothing




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Ezekiel 34:11:

Luke 15:3-7
Luke 19:10
John 10:1


 
<< Ezekiel 34:10   Ezekiel 34:12 >>

Join 137,250+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page