Day 17 : Ezekiel 34:1-24

Read Ezekiel 34:1-24

Helpful Background Information:  

• God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel to condemn the corrupt leaders of Israel. He compares them to shepherds who have failed their sheep. These leaders, instead of caring for the flock, have exploited them for personal gain, leaving the sheep scattered, injured, and vulnerable. In response, God declares that He Himself will intervene as the true shepherd. He will gather His sheep, care for them, bind up their wounds, and lead them to green pastures. The passage also includes a promise of a future leader, a “shepherd” from the line of David, who will guide the people with justice and righteousness.

• This passage connects to the context of Mark 2:13-17 in several ways. Just as God promises to seek out the lost sheep in Ezekiel, Jesus seeks out Levi, a tax collector despised and rejected by society. In Ezekiel, God criticizes the false shepherds for neglecting the sheep; similarly, Jesus’s ministry contrasts with the religious leaders of His time, who criticized Him for even eating with the sinners they were supposed to be helping. Ultimately, Ezekiel 34 looks forward to the coming of the good shepherd—fulfilled in Jesus—who would seek and save the lost, binding up the spiritually sick and leading them into the kingdom of God.

Reflection Questions: 

• Consider the false shepherds in verses 2-6. How does this compare to the Pharisees’ judgment of Jesus in Mark 2:16?

• How does God’s promise to care for His sheep in Ezekiel 34 compare to the way Jesus treated Levi and the sinners in Mark 2?

• In verses 17-22, God talks about holding the “strong sheep” accountable for hurting the weaker sheep. How might this challenge the way you treat others, especially those who are vulnerable?

• In Ezekiel 34 and Mark 2, God and Jesus focus on helping those who recognize their need for Him. Why do you think it’s harder for people who feel “strong” or “healthy” to see their need for God?