McDowell County

God promises to take over as Shepherd of His scattered flock. When our leaders fail us, we must not despair, but remember that God is in control and that He promises to one day return and care for His flock. Today, we know we can turn to God our Father for help (Ezekiel 34:12-13). He is still in control and can transform any tragic situation to produce good for His Kingdom (Romans 8:28).

Specific prophecies in the books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah deal with the first and second coming of Christ. Each of these men prophesied around the time of the Babylonian captivity of Israel, and about five hundred years before Jesus was born. Ezekiel was carried away as a captive to Babylon, and it was there that his book was written.

Prophets often spoke of doom and judgment. They also offered great hope in troubled times. When Ezekiel gave his prophecy, Israel was a captive people, which must have seemed to many that they would never see their homeland again. Ezekiel reminded them that they were God’s chosen people and all the promises God had made to them would come true, in God’s timing. Ezekiel used the comparison of a shepherd and his sheep. He began issuing woes and warnings to the false shepherds who neglected their spiritual duties toward those in their care.

A shepherd is referred to as anyone who is in a position of leadership and influence. Priests, prophets, and those in governmental authority were responsible for teaching the truth to the people. Instead, they had made their own lives comfortable and had not taught the people the truth. This resulted in the people being scattered over the face of the earth.

Like sheep, we are all needy, and the only thing that will minister to our needs is the Word of God. If a shepherd is not feeding his flock the Word of God, then he is not ministering to his flock, no matter what else they may be doing.

God knew who His chosen people were and where they were. There are no lost tribes in Israel. God has never lost any of His people. When His timing is ready, He will seek them out and bring them together once more. As Jesus taught, the shepherd knows His sheep, and the sheep hear the voice of their shepherd.

The sheep are Israel — the people of Israel — scattered among many other nations and many kinds of people. It was prophesied that God would once more bring all His people together again. This promise was not fulfilled in the return of Israel following the Babylonian captivity. This is a promise that will only be fully realized and fulfilled when Jesus returns again.

Two important events have already occurred in this process. First, in 1948, Israel became a nation once more. Then, in 1967, Jerusalem came under the control of Israel. Both of these events are a part of God’s plan to regather the people of Israel in the land He has promised for them. Israel as a nation will end with Israel being the land God historically gave to them through His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God will regather His people, and He will provide for them. Ezekiel specifically tells us that God will feed His flock spiritually. Also, look at Ezekiel 34:11-29. God used the term “I will” eighteen times — eighteen promises. Things that are impossible for men are well within the power of God. All of God’s promises have or will happen in TRUTH!

A flock regathered might soon scatter once more, but God promised to send a Good Shepherd to watch over them and protect them. In John Chapter 10, Jesus plainly states, “I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:14 KJV). The Good Shepherd, the One who is set over all of God’s people, has the job of feeding the sheep.

Israel has been a victim of their enemies and other nations for many years. They have been used and abused many times and in many places, and this is still happening today. When Israel is finally gathered in Jesus, there will be no more hurt or pain among the people of God. This includes all who accept and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

This is clearly a prophecy that was partially fulfilled when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, of the house and lineage of David, and will be completely fulfilled when Jesus returns again to bring peace and justice to all the earth. We cannot imagine the wonderful blessings that God will shower on us at this time. We do have glimpses of the nature of the millennial Kingdom of Jesus, but we will not know the full impact of this wonderful time of peace until we are living in it.

As we see the awful effects of sin reversed to a degree, we will also see an abundance that the world has not known since the Garden of Eden. Israel is a great proof of the goodness and greatness of God. Israel is living proof of the authenticity of the Bible and the accuracy of God’s Holy Word. We can be confident that God is in our future and that the future is bright for God’s people.

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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County and is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She finds purpose and joy in writing Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs, Memorials, and now expanding to include weekly articles to other churches, as well as writings to include Christian-based articles on Relationships in Marriage; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. From personal experience, I hope to set an example of how to serve a risen Savior and live by the Holy Spirit with joy. My goal is to help people partake of the better option in life to experience the transforming power that is available in Christ Jesus today. You can read more, good, Christian news from Glenda HERE.

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