Lesson Scripture: Ezekiel 34:23-31

Bible Truth: Christ is the perfect shepherd.

Timeline: Ezekiel was a priest and prophet during the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon, he ministered between 592 BC and the 27th year of the exile (around 570 BC).  You can find visual representation of where this period falls in the timeline below under the “Divided Kingdom”.

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Need to know notes: We will be in the book of Ezekiel for the next four weeks. It will be important to know as much as possible about this prophet and Isreal in that time to better understand our lessons.  

Prelude: In the begining of Chapter 34, Ezekiel phophesies against the wicked leaders of Isreal, correlating the leaders to shepherds and the people to sheep. Ezekiel condemns the shepherds (the leaders) who were supposed to take care of the sheep (the people) but instead ruled harshly against them for their own gain.  God makes it clear that he is against those shepherds and will hold them accountable.  God will remove them (the wicked shepherds) and rescue the scattered, injured sheep.  He also makes a personal committment to search and care for his sheep through his perfect shepherd David (the Messiah, Jesus) see John chapter 10. …..prelude by Trustee Richard Barnes

Our Lesson: New Leadership

Commentators: Deac. William Goss and Missionary Venita Turner

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What God promises he will faithfully do; you can count on it!

God made a guarantee to the people of Israel; Protection, Prosperity, Deliverence and Preservation.  This lesson sends a message to us (me), if we obey God and do what he says to do, he will supply all our needs. It’s almost like what our parents do.  A parent’s job is to be there for their child, a parent has to supply every need for the child until he/she is able to do on their own.  Even when your child is grown, you are still the parent and have to be there.  God is our father and we can count on him no matter how bad things look. ….

commentary by Deac William Goss

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Missionary Venita Turner

God Gives New Leaders:

Some people say God doesn’t have a since of humor,but I beg to differ.  I like how God referred to Ezekiel as “son of man”…lol

Anyway at this time we find the children of Israel still in captivity.  God had used Ezekiel to tell the people of their destruction to come, to send comfort to a people far from home that He was with them and now God would foretell of a New Leader.  A Good Shepherd.  Jesus Christ our Savior.  The children of Israel endured a hard life in captivity.  They continued to sin even though Ezekiel spoke the Word of the Lord.  Their kings and/or captors mistreated them; ate the best of the cattle, food & water.  They took the best of everything leaving them with barely nothing.  They were selfish.  They thought of themselves and not anyone else; The children of Israel didn’t have anyone to see about them…..God would deliver his people from their yoke of bondage.  God said he would set up one shepherd over them and David would be a prince under him.  (This reminds me of slavery in America)  During this time it will be peace throughout the land.  Man and beast shall dwell together in harmony, the trees and fields shall bring forth fruit.  It will be like harvest time.  It will be plentiful, no worries.  All this under our new leader…The Good Shepherd.  Jesus Christ.  

I have a question.  Lets=2 0bring this to today.  If you are a leader or thinking of becoming a leader what kind of leader would you be?

What are some qualities you possess to be a leader?

Can God trust you to be a leader for him?

Commentary by Missionary Venita Turner