Thru the Bible in a Year
When we open Ezekiel 34–36, we are invited into one of the most hopeful stretches of prophecy in the Old Testament. Israel, scattered and broken, hears words of judgment, promise, and restoration. These chapters unfold in three sweeping themes: the exposure of false shepherds and the promise of the true Shepherd, the judgment of Edom and the nations that opposed God’s people, and the glorious restoration of Israel in splendor.
This message, though spoken thousands of years ago, still speaks today. It reminds us of God’s heart for His people, His righteous justice against enemies, and His unwavering commitment to restore what sin and suffering have torn apart.
Ezekiel 34: The Shepherds
Ezekiel begins with a strong rebuke to Israel’s leaders. God describes them as poor shepherds—selfish rulers who fed themselves instead of caring for the flock. They were entrusted with the responsibility to lead, protect, and guide, but instead they took advantage of the sheep. The result was devastating: the flock was scattered, vulnerable to predators, and left in confusion.
Reading this, I cannot help but think of the state of leadership in our own day. Too often, those entrusted with authority—whether in politics, business, or even religious institutions—choose personal gain over the welfare of the people. Like Israel’s shepherds, they bring harm rather than healing. God’s Word reminds us that such leaders will one day answer for their neglect. Ezekiel tells us they will be punished and replaced, for the Lord Himself will rise as the passionate Shepherd.
That is the turning point: God declares that He Himself will seek out His sheep. He will deliver them from the enemy, restore them to the land, and tenderly care for them. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Promised Shepherd. Ezekiel calls Him “David,” but we know this points to the Son of David, Jesus Christ, who declares in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Through Him, a covenant of peace will be made, safety and prosperity will be secured, and millennial blessings will one day flow in their fullness.
For us, this is more than a prophecy about Israel—it is an invitation to trust the Good Shepherd today. In our scattered places, He comes to gather. In our weakness, He comes to heal. And in our fears, He offers peace.
Ezekiel 35: The Sword of Judgment
Chapter 35 shifts our attention to Seir, the land of Edom. Edom’s hostility toward Israel is well documented throughout the Old Testament, and here Ezekiel describes three charges against them: their hatred of the Jews, their harm against the Jews, and their attempts to seize the land of the Jews. These offenses echo what we see repeated throughout history, as nations have risen in enmity toward Israel, seeking to take what God has promised.
The judgment described is sobering. It is deadly, as the sword slays multitudes. It is duplicate, meaning the same treatment Edom gave to Israel will return upon them. And it is desolate, leaving their land barren and uninhabitable. Four times in this chapter the Lord declares: “Then you will know that I am the LORD” (vv. 4, 9, 12, 15). Judgment has a purpose—it is not arbitrary wrath but a revelation of God’s glory and sovereignty.
This should humble us. We live in a world quick to mock, dismiss, or oppose God’s people. Yet, Ezekiel reminds us that God takes seriously the treatment of His covenant people. Hatred, violence, and exploitation will not go unanswered. Justice delayed is not justice denied; it is God’s timing allowing His purposes to unfold.
Ezekiel 36: The Splendor of Restoration
Having walked through judgment, we are lifted into a vision of hope. Chapter 36 proclaims the restoration of Israel in splendor. The motivation for this restoration is not Israel’s merit but God’s mercy. He acts not because His people deserve it but because His holy name has been mocked among the nations. His reputation is tied to His people, and He will not let it remain in dishonor.
The manner of restoration is described with breathtaking imagery. Cities will be rebuilt, land will flourish, and the population will grow again. Even though Israel’s sin had scattered them among the nations, God’s mercy would gather them once more. He promises to cleanse them, give them a new heart, and put His Spirit within them (v. 26). These promises point beyond the return from Babylon—they foreshadow the spiritual renewal brought through Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The restoration is moral as well as material. God will purge His people of idolatry and sin. They will walk in His ways, not merely through external conformity but by inward transformation. The result will be magnificent: “This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden” (v. 35). What a vision of splendor—barren places turned into beauty, wastelands transformed into wonder.
This picture speaks to our hearts today. Many of us carry areas of life that feel barren—relationships, faith, dreams. Yet the same God who restored Israel is at work in us. His Spirit brings renewal, His mercy covers our failures, and His power transforms our deserts into gardens.
Living the Message
As we meditate on these chapters, three truths rise to the surface for daily living.
God holds leaders accountable. Whether shepherds of nations, churches, or homes, leadership is a sacred trust. The Good Shepherd shows us what true care looks like.
God judges nations with justice. His timing is perfect, and His purposes are revealed through His acts of judgment and mercy.
God restores His people in splendor. Through Christ and the Spirit, He turns our brokenness into beauty, offering hope not just for Israel’s future but for our lives today.
Thank you for walking through Scripture with me today. Your commitment to study reminds me of Isaiah’s promise: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). May the Lord bless you as you trust the Good Shepherd, rest in His justice, and rejoice in His restoring power.
For further study on the Good Shepherd in Ezekiel 34, see this resource from GotQuestions: Who are the shepherds in Ezekiel 34?.
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