Ezekiel Chapters 34-36

34:2-3 - The "shepherds," the kings of Israel, have chosen to take advantage of their positions of leadership instead of taking seriously the sacred and holy task of leading God's people. They have oppressed the people, sent their sons off to die in meaningless wars, taken their money so that they could live fat and happy...it is truly a shame. It is always disturbing and destructive when people use their authority and power to hold others down for their selfish gain. Make sure as leaders: fathers, mothers, bosses, teachers, whatever...you o not fall into this category. Honor God with your leadership.

34:5 - Because of the failure of the kings and the leaders of Israel, the flock (a.k.a. the people) have been scattered...they are roaming lost. Nobody stepped up to guide the nation back to God and they were destroyed.

34:12 - Because of the failure of the earthly leaders, God has taken matters into His own hands, and God Himself will become the Shepherd. This is going to be a fulfillment of the prophecy that one coming from David's line would always be the ruler over Israel - Jesus, the descendant of David (And also David's creator, being God) will be this Shepherd of prophecy.

34:16 - And Jesus is a shepherd that takes seriously the duty of shepherd. He searches out the lost and hungry and brings them back into the fold and gives them sustenance. He is also a leader of great power, willing to destroy those who prey on the weak.

35:2 - What is this Mount Seir that is spoken of? Well, it is the tallest mountain or chief mountain in the nation of Edom (The Edomites are the descendants of Esau who sold his birthright as the leader of God's people for a bowl of soup - ouch!).

35:5 - The Edomites have never gotten over the loss of the birthright. They have been bitterly jealous of the Israelites ever since and when God allows the people of Judah to be conquered, they rejoice and see it as an opportunity to take the land for themselves. To take back the birthright to the land that they believe is actually theirs. When I am punishing one son for something and my other son expresses his delight at the pain...the joyful son soon finds himself crying alongside the disciplined son. It is truly wrong to delight in the pain of another and the Edomites are going to find that out the hard way. (35:15)

36:1-7 - This may seem strange but Ezekiel is speaking to the land of Israel (He is using this a creative communicating device to give hope to the scattered people of Israel). Though the land has been overrun by people that are enemies of God, God assures the land that He is at work. Restoration will come and God's name will be honored once again int he land of Israel. We must always remember when times are brutally difficult, that God is always at work and restoration is always just around the corner.

36:1-21 - After countless years of rebellion from the Israelites...after idolatry and hatred and evil being lived out over and over in cycles among His covenant people - God has every right to be done with them. They broke the covenant with Him...He has every right to destroy the people of Israel. But His name is tied inextricably to the nation of Israel. For the sake of His own name...for the holiness of the name of the creator of all things...He will show the people undeserved mercy.

36:22-24 - Though Israel has done nothing but smear the name of God and bring dishonor on His holiness, He will restore them once again and bring vindication to His name before the entire world. When you look at your own life, the things you say, the things you do...are you bringing honor to the name of God - are you joining Him in the vindication of His holy name? Or are you bringing dishonor to the name that you represent?

36:26 - Not only will He restore them physically tot he land of Israel, but He will remake the people spiritually and internally. He will give them a new heart...not a heart made hard by the weight of their sin...but a heart of flesh...a living heart filled with the Spirit of God. This amazing work of mercy is done by God on the cross...where He died to remove the sins from our hearts and make it so that we could be temples of the living God. Thank you God for your sacrifice and this picture of grace!!!