The Good Shepherd of Ezekiel

by Hugh DeLong

In the Old Testament, the Good Shepherd Psalm is Psalm 23. The Lord is my Shepherd. Yet many in Israel had proven not to be his sheep, and many of the appointed shepherds were self-serving and a detriment to God’s flock.

Thus Ezekiel 34:11-12 declares: "For thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.'"

Then in Ezekiel 34:23: "Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd."

And yet again: Ezekiel 37:24: "My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them."

Now, the son of David, the promised king, has come! Jesus is the good shepherd. Is this Shepherd God? How can God be the Shepherd and the Son of David? Such is the two-fold identification of Jesus, the Good Shepherd! He is both.

Jesus said of his sheep – they hear his voice, they know his voice, they follow him (John 10:3-4). Are you one of His sheep?

Read this loved Psalm again:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:1-6)