Ezekiel 34 paints a picture of God as our true shepherd against the backdrop of his larger plan of restoration for Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel confronts the failure of Israel’s leaders, who were entrusted to shepherd God’s people but instead led with selfishness, injustice, and neglect. The people themselves also share responsibility. In response, God declares that he will step in personally as shepherd, one who rescues, provides for, protects, and restores his flock.

This passage invites us to contrast the failure of imperfect human leadership with the life-giving leadership of Jesus, our good shepherd. Jesus leads with grace, compassion, kindness, and love, while also calling us to repentance and obedience. Following him means submitting our lives to his teaching, embracing the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as non-negotiable marks of discipleship.

Why does this matter? Because Jesus desires to shape and form us into his likeness. And it is only through close, obedient discipleship, being “covered in the dust of our Rabbi," that we experience true freedom, rest, and abundant life. Ezekiel 34 ultimately points us to Jesus, the good shepherd who seeks the lost, lays down his life for the sheep, and calls us to join him in his mission to bring others from lost to found.