Justice and Other Sheep
Ezekiel 34, John 10, and the Good Shepherd
Ezekiel 34 is concerned with the issue of leadership and uses the imagery of shepherds and sheep to talk about leaders and the people. God condemns the supposed shepherds/leaders of Israel. These leaders have not truly led the people. They have allowed the people/sheep to scatter and become prey. These shepherds have not fed the flock. This type of leadership is unacceptable and requires divine action in the form of judgment. God judges these shepherds for their poor, selfish leadership.
This imagery influences John 10 where Jesus declares himself the Good Shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep. John focuses on the sacrificial character of the shepherd which is not as clear in Ezekiel 37.
As I read these two passages in conversation with each other, I have two additional thoughts:
1. The conclusion of God’s actions in Ezekiel 34:11-16 is the passionate statement: “I will feed them with justice.” The people will go from lack of food to the food of justice. After what happened to them under previous leadership, they need just relations and treatment. God will set things right as the new shepherd.
How does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, feed us with justice?
2. John 10:16 notes "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice." Earlier in the passage, Jesus says, "I am the gate," but I'm not sure we need a gatekeeper after this statement about other sheep.
How does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, challenge us with belonging?
And isn't it always like God to be concerned with justice and those in the additional flocks?
A Benediction (Or Miscellaneous Thoughts)
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