Members dmedicinus Posted June 25, 2015 Members Share Posted June 25, 2015 Read Ezekiel 34 today, in search of a sermon on Ezekiel 34 from a solid ifb preacher. Would love your thoughts on the chapter. Alan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Posted June 25, 2015 Members Share Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) Ezekiel 34 is an excellent chapter on numerous subjects.1. In verses 1-6 it is painfully obvious that the religious leaders in Israel were not soul-winners and had no interest in the average Jew. The beasts of the field is a good description of the pagan, and lost religions of this world who are destroying the souls of men through false doctrine.2. In verses 7-10 God denounces the lost shepherds (religious ministers) of Israel. This is exactly what the Lord Jesus did to the shepherds of the nation of Israel in His age: Matthew 233. In verses 11-16 is a wonderful description of the Great Shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ and His love for the souls of men. A. The man of God should love the sheep. John 21:15-19 B. God, the Lord Jesus, is seeking the lost. Luke 16:19-314. In verses 17-22 one day God will judge us for our efforts.5. In verses 23-31 is a great promise that one day God will raise up David to be the Sheperd over Israel during the 1,000 Year Reign of Christ in Revelation 20:4-6. See also Ezekiel chapter 40-48As a reference, see Ezekiel 36:37 & 38Great chapter!Alan Edited June 25, 2015 by Alan scripture reference number sequence John Young and dmedicinus 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Posted June 25, 2015 Members Share Posted June 25, 2015 I would also like to add that Jeremiah 23 is also correlated with Ezekiel 34 and Matthew 23. John Young 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post Pastor Scott Markle Posted June 26, 2015 Members Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2015 (edited) Read Ezekiel 34 today, in search of a sermon on Ezekiel 34 from a solid ifb preacher. Would love your thoughts on the chapter.At your request I put some meditation time into Ezekiel 34. Out of the meditation, the Lord graciously allowed me to develop the following on Ezekiel 34:1-10. I pray that it will be of some help. Lord willing and time permitting, I will be able in the coming days to develop further outlines on the remainder of the chapter. Woe Be to the Shepherds that Feed ThemselvesEzekiel 34:1-10 I. The Lord God’s Confrontation (against the shepherds that feed themselves). A. The Cry of Woe – “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves!” B. The Convicting Question – “Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” II. The Lord God’s Charge (against the shepherds that feed themselves). A. They are selfish, taking for themselves at the expense of the flock -- “Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool.” B. They are destructive, killing the spiritually healthy of the flock -- "Ye kill them that are fed.” C. They are unfaithful, neglecting to feed God’s Word unto the flock -- “But ye feed not the flock.” D. They are unloving, making no effort to help the damaged among the flock. 1. No effort to strengthen those diseased with discouragement -- “The diseased have ye not strengthened.” 2. No effort to heal those corrupted by carnality -- "Neither have ye healed that which was sick.” 3. No effort to restore those broken by sin -- “Neither have ye bound up that which was broken.” 4. No effort to bring back those driven away by tribulation -- “Neither have ye brought again that which was driven away.” 5. No effort to draw unto repentance those lost in rebellion -- “Neither have ye sought that which was lost.” E. They are abusive, lording with force and cruelty over the flock -- “But with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.”III. The Lord God’s Condemnation (against the shepherds that feed themselves.) A. The Lord God’s sheep were scattered spiritually, because the shepherds failed as spiritual shepherds. “And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd.” B. The Lord God’s sheep were consumed spiritually, by the devil as a roaring lion, because they were scattered. “And they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.” C. The Lord God’s sheep were wandering spiritually, wasting their lives, because the shepherds failed to seek them (to call them unto repentance). “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.”IV. The Lord God’s Chastening (against the shepherds that feed themselves). A. An Offense before the Lord God – “Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock.” B. Opposed by the Lord God – “Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds.” C. Accountable to the Lord God – “And I will require my flock at their hand.” D. Rejected by the Lord God – “And cause them to cease from feeding the flock.” E. Defeated (Destroyed) by the Lord God – “Neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.” Edited June 26, 2015 by Pastor Scott Markle Alan, Rebecca, MountainChristian and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heartstrings Posted June 26, 2015 Members Share Posted June 26, 2015 I don't have a sermon but I have observed a little about sheep.Right now, we have two 4 month-old rams which have fallen behind the rest. In feeding the flock, these little guys began to "defer" to the rest. When a sheep is not aggressive enough at the feed trough, it gets pushed aside with usually just a push or "shouldering in". At other times, a particularly aggressive sheep will forcefully butt the weaker one with it's head. If the weaker sheep doesn't get enough feed, it quickly gets weaker. This is what has happened.When stronger sheep push weaker ones aside, they also tend to put their feet into the food and will sometimes even climb onto the trough and stand in it with their dirty feet which are always contaminated with soil and feces. The feces contains the eggs of parasites. Stronger sheep can smell the contaminated feed, or grass, whichever the case is at the time, and will turn their noses up and leave it. Unfortunately, the weaker ones may eat some of the contaminants which were left, and this only makes them sicker and weaker. This is when the shepherd must intervene.An observant shepherd, quickly notices the ones which are "standoffish", and can tell from their body posture and actions that they need extra attention. The two little guys at our farm have been being fed separately from the main flock for several days now. I gave them the last injection of antibiotics yesterday morning and will be monitoring them for several days more.Standoffish sheep are usually the ones which are fearful of the shepherd. They are the ones which don't hold tight to the flock when it's being moved. They are the last ones to go through the gates, the last ones to the trough, and they have much greater "flight zones". Whereas some sheep will come near the shepherd, eat from his hand and even come into physical contact, others never do; they stand fearfully distant. This can be overcome only with time and patience. Even a wild sheep can become socialized to a human when he cares enough to take the time to gain their trust. And these socialized sheep end up being the healthiest, not only because they are diligently cared for, but also as a result of the dynamic that they are no longer afraid of the shepherd. MountainChristian, Alan, Pastor Scott Markle and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heartstrings Posted June 26, 2015 Members Share Posted June 26, 2015 (edited) I know that all has to do with Israel but it applies even today. A hireling who just doesn't care for sheep, will never take the time to become "close friends" with them and a lazy hireling will never pull them aside to care for their illnesses. The sick ones will die and the fearful and bullied ones will just leave and neither would ever add to the flock or benefit The Shepherd. But the good news is, the Good Shepherd knows his sheep. He isn't selfish or lazy and He will round up all the strays and he will make friends with them.He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 . Edited June 26, 2015 by heartstrings Pastor Scott Markle, Alan, MountainChristian and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Posted June 26, 2015 Members Share Posted June 26, 2015 Heartstrings,Thank you for your insight on the behaviour of sheep, the shepherd, and hirelings. I think the illustrations were very appropriate to the subject matter of Ezekiel 34.The wise pastor would probably include the illustration of the wise shepherd in preaching Ezekiel 34 and the other passages of good shepherds verses evil shepherds (hirlings).Isaiah 41:10 is a great reference also as it shows the heart, and actions, of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. And, it brings out the character of God in the Old Testament as the Good Shepherd and the character of the Lord Jesus in the New Testamant as the Good Shepherd.Thank you very much for the illustration.Alan MountainChristian, dmedicinus and heartstrings 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pastor Scott Markle Posted July 3, 2015 Members Share Posted July 3, 2015 (edited) So Will I Seek Out My SheepEzekiel 34:11-16 (Note: In its immediate context this passage speaks concerning the Lord God’s intention to restore his chosen nation, the children of Israel, unto His fellowship and unto their promised land. However, from this passage we may also learn from the example of the Lord our God, as the Good Shepherd, concerning the character of good shepherding.) Ia. The Good Shepherd seeks after His scattered sheep. Ib. Good shepherding requires that we seek after the sheep who are scattered in sin. “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep.”IIa. The Good Shepherd delivers His scattered sheep.IIb. Good shepherding requires that we strive to deliver the sheep from the darkness of sin. “And will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”IIIa. The Good Shepherd gathers His sheep unto Himself.IIIb. Good shepherding requires that we lead the sheep unto fellowship with the Lord. “And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries.”IVa. The Good Shepherd feeds His sheep in a good pasture.IVb. Good shepherding requires that we feed the sheep the sound doctrine of God’s Word. “And will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.” Va. The Good Shepherd grants His sheep peace and rest. Vb. Good shepherding requires that we guide the sheep to the Lord’s peace and rest. “I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.”VIa. The Good Shepherd strengthens the unhealthy sheep.VIb. Good Shepherding requires that we strive to strengthen the sheep who are broken by sin. “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.”VIIa. The Good Shepherd disciplines the selfish sheep.VIIb. Good shepherding requires that we reprove the sheep who are selfish and self-righteous. “But I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.” Edited July 4, 2015 by Pastor Scott Markle Alan, John81, MountainChristian and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dmedicinus Posted July 10, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 10, 2015 I don't have a sermon but I have observed a little about sheep.Right now, we have two 4 month-old rams which have fallen behind the rest. In feeding the flock, these little guys began to "defer" to the rest. When a sheep is not aggressive enough at the feed trough, it gets pushed aside with usually just a push or "shouldering in". At other times, a particularly aggressive sheep will forcefully butt the weaker one with it's head. If the weaker sheep doesn't get enough feed, it quickly gets weaker. This is what has happened.When stronger sheep push weaker ones aside, they also tend to put their feet into the food and will sometimes even climb onto the trough and stand in it with their dirty feet which are always contaminated with soil and feces. The feces contains the eggs of parasites. Stronger sheep can smell the contaminated feed, or grass, whichever the case is at the time, and will turn their noses up and leave it. Unfortunately, the weaker ones may eat some of the contaminants which were left, and this only makes them sicker and weaker. This is when the shepherd must intervene.An observant shepherd, quickly notices the ones which are "standoffish", and can tell from their body posture and actions that they need extra attention. The two little guys at our farm have been being fed separately from the main flock for several days now. I gave them the last injection of antibiotics yesterday morning and will be monitoring them for several days more.Standoffish sheep are usually the ones which are fearful of the shepherd. They are the ones which don't hold tight to the flock when it's being moved. They are the last ones to go through the gates, the last ones to the trough, and they have much greater "flight zones". Whereas some sheep will come near the shepherd, eat from his hand and even come into physical contact, others never do; they stand fearfully distant. This can be overcome only with time and patience. Even a wild sheep can become socialized to a human when he cares enough to take the time to gain their trust. And these socialized sheep end up being the healthiest, not only because they are diligently cared for, but also as a result of the dynamic that they are no longer afraid of the shepherd. Thank you! This was perfect, I also love the shepherding analogy. You all blessed my heart with this. Sometimes I read the Bible and I know there is more than what I can gather out of the passage, but I am not able to always see it for myself. Gods Word is so good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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