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Series: Unveiling the Bible Story – Seeing Glory & Walking in Grace

Today: What Is Good Leadership? (Eze 34, for next wk read Eze 37)

Intro:

*** Who is God calling us to be as _________? God is calling us to be _________:

I. … who _____________ our lives & leadership for the _______ of those we lead.

II. … who ________ our lives & leadership on ________ Word.

III. … who recognize _____ Himself as the ultimate ________ & authority in our lives & leadership.

IV. … who ________ in & depend on God’s __________ (Jesus) as the only source of ________ for our lives & leadership.

Concl:

Digging Deeper into Eze 34 by Pastor Jeff

“Shepherd” is a common OT term for rulers & leaders (Is 44:28, Jer 2:8, 10:21, 23:1-6, 25:34-38, Mic 5:4-5; Zech 11:4-17, Is 63:11, Ps 78:70-72).
There is a very close connection of Eze 34 with Jer 23 as listed below (largely borrowed from Dan Block’s Vol 2 commentary on Ezekiel, p. 275-6 ). A. “On theme and structure: (1) the opening pronouncement of woe (Jer. 23:1, Ezek. 34:2); (2) the formal accusation, which serves at the same time as a description of the crisis facing the flock (Jer 23:1b-2; Ezek 34: 3-6; (3) the judgment of the shepherds, which signifies salvation for the flock (Jer 23:2c; Ezek 34:7-10); (4) Yahweh’s personal intervention on behalf of the flock (Jer 23:3; Ezek 34:10-22); (5) the appointment of caring human shepherd(s) (Jer 23:4; Ezek 34:23a); (6) the identification of the human shepherd as Davidide (Jer 23:5; Ezek 34:23b-24); (7) the concluding peace and security in the land (Jer 23:6; Ezek 34:25-29). B. On style: (1) the punctuation of the oracles with the citation and signatory formulae; (2) the emphatic use of the first person pronoun ('ānî) to highlight Yahweh’s personal involvement in the rescue of the flock (Jer 23:3; Ezek 34:11; (3) the emphatic use of “Behold,” to draw attention to Yahweh’s activity (Jer 23:2; Ezek 34:10, 11, 17, 21); (4) the rhetorical (as opposed to logical) use of “therefore” (cf. March, in Rhetorical Criticism, pp. 259-62). C. On diction: (1) the dominant “my flock” (2x in Jer; 15x in Ezek), and “to tend, shepherd” (various forms 6x in Jer. 23:1-6; 32x in Ezek. 34); (2) key verbs: “to destroy” (Jer 23:1; Ezek 34:4, 16), “to scatter” (Jer 23:1; Ezek 34:5, 21), “to drive away” (Jer 23:2, 3; Ezek 34:4, 16), “to gather” (Jer 23:3; Ezek 34:13, 16), “to bring back” (Jer 23:3; Ezek 34:16), “to raise up, install” (Jer 23:4, 5; Ezek 34:23,29); (3) other key expressions “the sheep of my pasturage” (Jer 23:1; Ezek 34:31); “justice” (Jer 23:5; Ezek 34:16; cf. the verb šāpat, in vv. 17-22); “securely” (Jer 23:6; Ezek 34:25, 27, 28); “pastureland” (Jer 23:3; Ezek 34:14 [2x]); “my people” (Jer 23:2; Ezek 34:30); also “their own land” (Jer 23:8; Ezek 34:27); (4) motifs referred to by synonyms: “to save” (Jer 23:6, vs. Ezek 34:10:12, 27); the absence of fear (Jer 23:4, vs. Ezek 34:28); “to dwell [in the land]” Jer 23:6, vs. Ezek 34:25, 28 and v. 27)”.
There are also many connections of Ez 34:25-30 with the covenant blessings spoken of in Lev 26:4-13 as well as with Hos 2:18-23, Is 11:6-9 & Job 5:23.
The coming promised Davidic prince of Eze 34:23-24 is mentioned many times in OT Scriptures. See 2 Sam 7:8-15, 5:2; Ps 78:70-72, Jer 23:5,33:17, 20-21, 25-26, 30:9-10 & 37:15-24; Am 9:11, Is 9:6-7, 11:1, & Hos 3:5 as well as many others.
Several NT passages also connect with Eze 34 in their teaching on the role of “Pastors” & spiritual leaders. See 1 Pet 5:1-5, Acts 20:28ff, Jn 21:15-17, 10:1-30 & 1 Tim 4:13-16.