A Promise of Justice for Unfaithful Leaders (Ezekiel 34)

Scripture reading – Ezekiel 34; Ezekiel 35

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

This devotional is from Ezekiel 34, and a second study will follow from Ezekiel 35. The backdrop for this Bible study is our prior devotional from Ezekiel 33, which underscored the vital role of spiritual watchmen for a people, a congregation, an institution, and a nation.

The LORD first appeared to Ezekiel when he was young, calling him to serve as His prophet to the captives of Israel in Babylon (Ezekiel 1-3). In chapter 33, the LORD declared Ezekiel His “watchman unto the house of Israel” and commanded him to “give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). The backdrop for today’s Bible study is the role and culpability of spiritual watchmen (Ezekiel 33:3-6).

Ezekiel 34

In Ezekiel 34, the LORD commanded Jeremiah to confront the “shepherds of Israel” and prophesy against them (Ezekiel 34:2). The shepherds of Israel included not only the spiritual leaders (i.e., priests and prophets) but also the political leaders (the kings and their administrators). Therefore, when Ezekiel was commanded to “prophesy against the shepherds of Israel” (Ezekiel 34:2), the message was directed at the nation’s spiritual and political leaders. Thus, Ezekiel was commanded to indict the “shepherds” for their failure.

The Failures of Unfaithful Leaders (i.e., shepherds, Ezekiel 34:1-10)

The LORD instructed Ezekiel to confront the derelict spiritual shepherds of Israel and to declare, “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” (Ezekiel 34:2). Like pastors in today’s church, Israel’s spiritual leaders were called to serve the nation and to be a blessing to those entrusted to their care. Israel’s leaders, however, were the epitome of self-centeredness, placing their interests before those of the people. They enjoyed the best of everything while the “flock” (i.e., the people) went wanting (Ezekiel 34:3). They neglected the weak among them (the diseased, the sick, and the broken) and ruled with cruel force (Ezekiel 34:4).

Self-absorbed and neglectful, the wicked shepherds of Israel left the people to wander far from the LORD and fall prey to predators (i.e., evil men and nations, Ezekiel 34:5). With a broken heart, the LORD observed: “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” (Ezekiel 34:6).

Acting as both Prosecutor (Ezekiel 34:7-9) and Judge, the LORD declared, “Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; 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” (Ezekiel 34:10).

The LORD’s Promise of Unfailing Love (Ezekiel 34:11-16)

Reminiscent of Christ’s revelation that He is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:7-18), the LORD declared, “Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. ¹²As 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, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:11-12).

Remembering His covenant with Israel, the LORD promised to “gather [Israel] from the countries” and restore them “to their own land” (Ezekiel 34:13). Though the people had been neglected and had wandered without shepherds, the LORD promised He would “feed them in a good pasture…they shall lie in a good fold” (Ezekiel 34:13-14). He promised to “feed” His flock and “seek that which was lost” (Ezekiel 34:16a). He would “bind up that which was broken” and “strengthen that which was sick” (Ezekiel 34:16b).

The LORD’s Promise of Justice (Ezekiel 34:17-22)

Promising to love the victims of negligent shepherds, the LORD warned those shepherds that He would “judge between cattle and cattle” (Ezekiel 34:17). He had not overlooked how Israel and Judah’s wicked leaders had taken the best for themselves and left the people with spoiled and destroyed pastures (Ezekiel 34:18-19). The LORD therefore vowed to judge those shepherds, remember their sins, and save His people so they would no longer be prey (Ezekiel 34:20-22). 

The LORD’s Promise of a Shepherd Like None Other (Ezekiel 34:23-31)

Despite the dire state of the children of Israel, the LORD comforted Ezekiel. He assured the prophet that He would send a loving shepherd, whom He identified as “my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. ²⁴And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lordhave spoken it” (Ezekiel 34:23-24).

Who was this loving shepherd-king identified as “my servant David, a prince” (Ezekiel 34:24)? It is a king who will descend from the lineage of David. He is the LORD Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God (John 10:11-18; 1 Peter 2:24-25).

Closing thoughts

What comfort might Ezekiel have drawn from the LORD’s promises? After all, Jerusalem was destroyed, Judah lay desolate, and the people in captivity not only refused to repent and turn to the LORD but also persecuted him, God’s prophet.

Although he was rejected by those he was called to serve, Ezekiel was assured that the time would come, “lo, it will come,” when the people would know and remember, “a prophet hath been among them” (Ezekiel 33:33).

May we all aspire to be faithful men and women who speak God’s Truth!

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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