Assemblies of God Church, AIT 1 Miracle Center. Sectional Hq

21/06/2023

20/05/2023

*Adult Teacher January - June, 2023*

May 21, 2023
LESSON 21

*GOD'S HEALING PRESENCE*

*Memory Verse: Revelation 22:2*
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (KJV).
👓👓👓👓👓👓👓
*Central Truth*
Followers of Christ can be certain that one day they will know complete healing and restoration.
🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
*The Lesson Outline*
*1. God's Presence Returns*
Ezekiel 43:1-9
A. The Glory Returns to the Temple
B. The Lord Speaks

*2. Supernatural River From the Temple*
Ezekiel 47:1-6
A. A Vision of a River
B. The River Deepens

*3. Life-Giving Waters*
Ezekiel 47:7-12
A. Ezekiel's River
B. There ls a River
💧💧💧💧💧💧💧
*Learning Objectives*
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Comprehend the glorious future prepared for the people of God.

2. Derive comfort and hope from Ezekiel's vision of God's glory.

3. In word and deed, proclaim their hope of God's coming kingdom.
🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
*Introducing the Lesson*
The first 33 chapters of Ezekiel are almost entirely concerned with judgement for sin. But the tone changes beginning in 33:21, when a survivor from Jerusalem comes to Ezekiel and announces, "The city [Jerusalem] has fallen" (NLT), From that point to the end of the book, Ezekiel focuses on visions of restoration and salvation. In our last lesson, we looked at chapter 34, concluding with God's promise of the Messiah, who would come to redeem and will reign eternally. Today, we will look more closely at that future reign.
🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿
*The Holy Scriptures*
Ezekiel 43:2,5,7
[2]And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
[5]So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.
[7]And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

Ezekiel 46:1,5,8-9
[1]Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.
[5]And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
[8]And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof.
[9]But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
*Commentary and Application*
*1. God's Presence Returns*
*A. The Glory Returns to the Temple- Ezekiel 43:1-5*
It is significant that the Book of Ezekiel begins and ends with a vision of the glory of God. Ezekiel's call narrative describes a vision of the divine glory in great detail (1:28; 3:12,23). God's desire had always been that He would dwell in the midst of His people. When revealing the details of the tabernacle to Moses,
God said, "l am the LORD their God. I am the one who brought them out of
the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. "I am the LORD their God" Exodus 29:46, NLT). Thus, the stirring imagery of the divine glory abandoning the sanctuary in chapter 11 is one of the saddest accounts in the Bible. "Then the glory of the LORD went up from the city and stopped above the mountain to the east" (Ezekiel 11:23, NLT).

Approximately four hundred years earlier, God's presence had filled the newly constructed temple in a powerful way, making it impossible for the priests to stand and minister (2 Chronicles 5:14). His presence in the temple of Jerusalem was a source of great joy and gave the people of God a sense of security. They knew that, as long as God was in His temple, Jerusalem would be defended. The Psalmist wrote, "God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it" (Psalm 46:5,
NLT), and "God himself is in Jerusalem's towers, revealing himself as its defender" (Psalm 48:3,
NLT).

Sadly, because of the sins of the people of Judah, the divine presence abandoned its sacred dwelling place, thus leaving Jerusalem vulnerable to destruction and desolation. In 586 Bc, God allowed the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to sack the city of Jerusalem, deport its inhabitants, and raze the temple to the ground. The glory had truly departed from Israel, and disaster followed (see also 1 Samuel 4:21, NLT, noting the disaster of God's presence departing).

Amid this backdrop, we arrive at Ezekiel 43. Abandoning the place where God dwelt in the midst of His people was not the desire of the One who had redeemed them. Yet God had a marvellous plan for restoration after judgement. ln Ezekiel 40-48, He gave Ezekiel a detailed vision of a glorious new Jerusalem, with a new temple. The highlight of Ezekiel's vision is the return of the divine glory to dwell in the restored temple.
"Suddenly, the glory of the God of lsrael appeared from the east. And the glory of the LORD filled the Temple through the east gateway" (Ezekiel 43:2,4, NLT). The glory that had departed eastward now returned from the east.
🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
*Questions for Application*
What had the people of Israel done that caused God to abandon His presence among them?

In what ways do we displease God, and how does He discipline us?
🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱
*B. The Lord Speaks–Ezekiel 43:6-9*
The cycle of judgement and redemption had come around full circle. God's presence, which had departed the temple, had returned, and God spoke directly to Ezekiel.
He promised that He will dwell there with His people forever (Ezekiel
43:7). He had been greatly displeased with their worship of idols, but in the future they would put away those idols and return to worshipping Him. John described something very similar when he Wrote concerning the New Jerusalem, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell
with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God"
(Revelation 21:3, KJV).

God's desire has always been to dwell with His people. He Communed with Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 2:8,15; 3:8-9): He lived in the midst of Israel in the tabernacle and then the temple (Exodus 29:43-46; 1 Kings 8:1-12); in Christ,
the Word became flesh and "dwelt among us" (John 1:14, KJV; "made his home among us," NLT); currently the Church, individually and collectively, "are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord" (Ephesians
2:21, NLT); and in the future God will dwell among His people: "The one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!" (Revelation 21:5, NLT).
🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷
*Questions for Application*
In what way does God dwell among His people today?

In what ways do you take time to commune with the Lord on a daily
basis?
🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
*2. Supernatural River from the Temple*
*A. A Vision of a River– Ezekiel 47:1-2*
Even though Ezekiel previously witnessed the departure of God's glory, now he was witnessing the return of that glory. The temple in Ezekiel's vision had an unusual
feature. There was a river flowing out of the temple eastward (Ezekiel 47:1-2). The river flowed past the south side of the altar of burnt offering and eventually emptied into the Arabah (the hollow depression of land extending north and south of the Dead Sea), and thence into the Dead
Sea.

In the Ancient Near East, water was both scarce and vital for survival. As a result, water served as a powerful symbol of abundance and blessing. But this Scripture does not focus on just any kind of water; it focuses on rivers, which provide plenty of clean water for drinking and irrigation. It seems Ezekiel's vision was showing that God's people Would have a future that included great abundance and blessed
provision. God's people would not lack anything because a life-giving river would flow from the dwelling place of God into the dry land, demonstrating God's care for His people.
🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃
*Questions for Application*
What can you describe as the significance of a river flooding over an arid land toward the Dead Sea, a body of water so salty that it cannot support life?

What have you experienced that shows God's abundant provision?
🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀
*B. The River Deepens- Ezekiel 47:3-6*
Ezekiel described how he crossed the river about one-third of a mile from its source (1,000 cubits, KJV, or 1,750 feet, NLT), and he found it to be ankle deep. Measuring another one-third of a mile, Ezekiel found the waters to be knee deep. Then, at equal intervals it was waist deep, and then deep enough to swim in but too deep to walk through (Ezekiel 47:3-5). The unusual thing about this account is that a spring- fed river will always be deepest at its
Source and become shallower as the distance increases. The river in Ezekiel's vision does the exact opposite. It gets deeper the further it gets from its source. What accounts for this? Note that the river in Ezekiel's vision is supernatural in nature. The waters of this river are not like any water we have even known. These are the waters of life, waters that flow from God's throne. The waters symbolise God's divine presence and His life-giving power.

Furthermore, in verse 6, Ezekiel was referred to as "son of man, highlighting the prophet's humanity, yet in his humanity he was able to witness the amazing miracle of the water's increasing volume. This was truly a supernatural scene.

These verses may bring to mind Christ's words in John 7:37-39. He declared that anyone who believes in Him will have "rivers of living water" flowing from his heart. Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would indwell and flow from His people.
💦 💦 💦 💦 💦 💦
*Questions for Application*
What might have been significant about the increasing depth of the
river?

How do people experience the rivers of living water described in John 7?
🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
*3. Life-Giving Waters*
*A. Ezekiel's River- Ezekiel 47:7-11*
The language used in Ezekiel 47 is similar to both Genesis 2:8-14 and Revelation 22:1-2, indicating that the river in Ezekiel's vision helps to restore the ideals of the Garden of Eden. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, all of creation has suffered under the curse of sin (Romans 8:20-22). But, as Ezekiel learned in his vision, the day is coming when God will restore His creation to it's former state, making a new heavens and a new earth.

The supernatural properties of the waters from the river in Ezekiel
47:7-11 can be seen in what they accomplished. They had a healing effect on the briny waters of the Dead Sea (which has a salinity level of around 34 percent, compared to 3.5 percent for the ocean). Ezekiel saw that the Dead Sea, which currently supports only microorganisms, would one day explode with life due to the healing properties of the river flowing from the temple. Ezekiel wrote, "Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun" (verse 10, NLT). These two locations are significant: En-gedi is an oasis amid the parched desert on the western side of the Dead Sea: En-eglaim was on the eastern side, perhaps near the plains of Zoar, near where S***m and Gomorrah were located. Thus, these two locations are used to indicate the entirety of the Dead Sea area, which now is desert but will then be lush and fruitful.

Likewise, "fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean" (47:10, NLT; "great sea," KJV). No one in Ezekiel's
day-or in ours-would have thought the Dead Sea could be teeming with life, but Ezekiel's vision points to a future time when life will flourish, even there.
🍍 🍍 🍍 🍍 🍍 🍍
*Questions for Application*
What are some symptoms of creation's curse that you observe around you?

What are some ways life-giving water flow through your life today?
🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳
*B. There Is a River- Ezekiel 47:12*
The life-giving power of the river in Ezekiel 47 also caused "fruit trees of all kinds" to grow along its banks (verse 12, NLT). These trees yielded twelve crops of fruit a year, one every month. The leaves of the trees had healing properties and never turned brown or fell. The description of these trees is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, where "the LORD God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the Garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the Garden" (Genesis 2:9-10, NLT). The striking similarity between Ezekiel's river and its trees, and Eden's river and its trees, seems to indicate that, with the creation of the New Jerusalem, God's plan for
humanity will have come full circle, back to Eden.

In Psalm 46:4 we read, "There is river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God" (KJV). Since there is no literal river in Jerusalem, we must understand this river to be a spiritual reality. This spiritual river is described elsewhere in Scripture. Zechariah wrote: "On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem. half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter" (Zechariah 14:8, NLT). The prophet Joel similarly foretold that, in the day of lsrael's restoration, a fountain would burst forth from the LORD's temple (see Joel 3:18). Perhaps the most striking parallel to Ezekiel's vision is John's vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22:1-2. In this passage, an angel showed John "a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (verse 1, NLT). On either side of the river of life John saw "a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations" (verse 2, NLT). Though there is some difference in detail, John's vision clearly touches on the same realities as Ezekiel's vision. Interestingly, both visions also mention elements that were present in the Garden of Eden before the fall of Adam and Eve. Just like the New Jerusalem of the visions of Ezekiel and John, the Garden of Eden featured a river running through it, and the tree of life growing in its midst. This river, which appears in Genesis, the Psalms, Prophets, and Revelation, represents a spiritual reality that constitutes the essence of God's saving promise.

God's great plan for His people and the rest of His creation are clearly described. He has a marvellous plan for those who follow Him. Through the prophet Ezekiel, we are blessed to get a glimpse of what He has in store for us.
🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇
*Questions for Application*
What do you most look forward to about being with the Lord forever?

Based on the visions of Ezekiel and John, how would you describe
heaven?
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
*Call to Discipleship*
This lesson emphasises the reality of and the life-giving presence of God. God desires to be present in our lives so that we can be healed and renewed by Him. The full realisation of His presence will not happen until His kingdom arrives with Christ's second coming. Meanwhile, we have a foretaste of the feast to come in the presence of the Spirit in our lives (see Hebrews 6:5).
🏺🏺🏺🏺🏺🏺
*Ministry in Action*
Pray for God to reveal
himself to you in a new and powerful way.

Look for opportunities to
let the water of life flow from you to those around you.

Rejoice in the new life
available to you through your relationship with Jesus Christ.
*THIS IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*

13/05/2023

Be our guest tomorrow for the grand finale of our Women's Ministries Weekend. Join us to celebrate on Mother's and Wives @ AGN AIT 1, Miracle Center 32 Tokura Street, Off AIT Road, Alagbado, Kola, Lagos

13/05/2023

*RADIANT LIFE TEACHERS GUIDE TEENS SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE, JANUARY - JUNE, 2023.*

SUNDAY, 14TH MAY, 2023.

Unit 5: HOW TO GO DEEPER WITH GOD

*Study 3: STAY CONFIDENT IN GOD*

Text: John 11:1-6,21-27,38-44; 2 Cor 1-2:9-10; Heb 13:5-6; James 1:2-4

Key Verse: John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies" (NIV).

*>>Focus*
God answers prayer, but not always - or even often - in the ways we expect.
At times we pray for sick people and they are instantly healed. Others receive healing over a period of time. But some aren't healed in this life.
They either live with their conditions or die. Why every prayer for a physical need isn’t answered with healing has been a question asked by God's people throughout the ages. Job wrestled with this issue, yet he still declared, "Though he slay me, yet will l trust in him" (Job 13:15. KIM)

Being a Christian doesn't guarantee a pain-free life of luxury. Rather, Christianity takes tough faith: a commitment to hang on and believe that God knows and will accomplish what's best - even when it doesn't seem that way. It's the kind of faith we see in the verses covered in today's study. In spite of her brother's death, Martha expressed faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Share with your students a personal testimony of a time you faced a bad situation but still trusted God to help you get through it. Teens need to see that kind of faith demonstrated in the lives of leaders and mentors like you: it helps to reference such possibility easily. Give them an example to follow. Then, in the years to come, they’ll be ready to face the toughest of times.

*>>The Basic Message:* Explain to students...
•WHAT'STHE BIG IDEA?
God can bring good results from even the worst situations.
•WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Believing that God doesn't care about us or our problems can cause us to lose faith in Him.
•HOW DOILIVE IT?
Maintain your confidence in God by trusting His promises during difficult circumstances.

*>>Activity Option:* Discuss the following questions scenarios, asking students how they might answer each question: (i). Why does God allow a child to be killed by a drunken driver? (ii). Where is God when an honest Christian loses his job and a dishonest unbeliever is promoted?
>>Guide: Explain that life is full of harsh realities and injustices. Some people think that when they become Christians, they shouldn't have to endure such problems or disappointments. If anything bad comes their way, they feel God has forsaken them or doesn't love them anymore.

*>»Study Overview:* Explain that today's study will consider:
•How God honours our faith by bringing good from even the worst situations.
•The spiritual problems that can occur when we doubt God's care for us.
•How relying on God's promises can help us maintain trust during trying circumstances.

>>lnform and Discuss
a). Bad things happen to good people.

1. Read or have a volunteer read John 11:1-3. Why do you think God allows Us to experience problems? [Guide: Allow discussion, then explain that God is more intent on maturing us than making sure we have everything we want. Jesus didn't promise to always remove or spare us from difficulties. But He did promise to always be with us if we follow Him, even during the bad times. He invites us to share our problems with Him and discover His plans for our lives.]
>>Note: Mary and Martha sent messenger to tell Jesus that Lazarus was sick, making a wise choice to look to Jesus for help. However, they needed to learn and accept that Jesus' response would be His choice, not theirs.

2. Read or have volunteers read 2 Cor 12:9-10; Heb 13:5-6. How can these verses help us maintain and express trust in Christ during faith-challenging circumstances?
>>Hint: Such scriptures reminds us that Jesus promised to be with us and help us in times of need. They teach us that when God says "no" to taking us out of trying situations, He gives us strength to enable us go through them.

b). God doesn't always do what we expect.
1 Read or have a volunteer read John 11:4-6. Discuss how Martha and Mary may have reacted when they realized Jesus wasn't coming right away. [Hint: Maybe they remembered how Jesus had healed people from a distance (Luke 7:1-10). They probably hoped that if Jesus didn't come, at least He could speak words of healing when their message reached Him.]

2. What are some of the expectations most people have when they become Christians? Which of these expectations are reasonable and accurate and which ones are unreasonable and inaccurate? [Guide: Explain that we should help new believers gain correct expectations of what it means to become a Christian.]

3. Read or have a volunteer read James 1:2-4. Why are we instructed to count it all joy" when we found ourselves in trying circumstances? [Guide: Explain that: Some people turn away from God when He doesn't do what they expect Him to do or respond to their satisfaction. If they experience pain or unpleasant circumstances, they feel that He has abandoned them or wants to punish them. Rather, God is working to fulfill what's best for their lives. Because we can't see the future or fully understand His plans for us, we must trust His choices.]

c). God can bring good out of any bad situation.
>>Guide: Read or have a volunteer read John 11:21-27. Explain that Jesus assured Martha that her brother would rise again. Martha agreed, knowing he would rise in the final resurrection. But Jesus mean something more, and asked Martha if she believed His claim. She replied by declaring her faith in Him as the Son of God. Though Martha was grieving and didn’t know why Jesus had not arrived earlier or what He was planning to do, she held her faith and trusted Him.

1. What can we learn from Martha's example when we face hard or confusing times? [Hint: We won't always understand God's motives and actions, but we must remember that He loves us. While God will never do wrong to us, He does allow hardships to affect our lives. It's part of His plan to transform us, making us more like Jesus – Romans 8:28-29.]

2. Read or have a volunteer read John 11:38-40. Discuss Martha's reaction in these verses.
*>>Note:* It's easy to identify with Martha. We have moments when we deeply sense God's presence, and our faith grows. Then we come face-to-face with our problems again and lose sight of God's power. The great truth is that God doesn't desert us because our faith wavers. He simply reminds us to keep believing and promises that we will see Him do great things.

3. Read or have a volunteer read John 11:41-44. How did Jesus turn the grief of Martha and Mary into joy? [Guide: Explain that Jesus prayed a short prayer and called Lazarus out of the tomb. Can you imagine the excitement, amazement, and shock when Lazarus made his way out of the burial chamber? Mary and Martha surely were thrilled that their brother had been restored to life. Jesus had performed a greater miracle than they expected.]
>>Note: When bad things happen to us and it seems that Jesus doesn't respond to our cries for help, it's difficult to keep believing that God will bring about good in the midst of such terrible events. Like Martha, we must focus on Jesus, the Son of God. She maintained her belief in His identity and concern for her-as well as His ability to take care other concern.
*>>Involve Them:* Read 2 Cor 1:20. Have students use the concordances in their Bibles or ones you have provided to come up with a list of God's promises that they can rely on to maintain and express their trust in Him during faith-challenging circumstances. List the promises and the circumstances they relate to on the board.

>>Inspire Them: Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg.), explaining WHAT the Big Idea behind the study is; WHY it matters; and HOVW /we can live the lesson captured in this study.

>>Ministry Activity: Divide the class into pairs, where they will describe a difficult situation they are facing. Ask the pairs to pray for each other, challenging the partners to pray for these requests throughout the week. If your students are unaccustomed to this type of activity, coach them on ways to pray for others. Remind students to ask their partners how the situations are progressing over the next several weeks.

>>invitation Option: Remind students that Jesus' power is still at work today, assuring us of eternal life. In order for us to experience this power, we must ask God to forgive our sins and becomes the Lord and Leader of our lives. Encourage who haven't already done so to start a relationship with Jesus today. Emphasize that he wants to be at the centre of their lives, even during the most difficult times.

>>Teacher Hint: Ask yourself...
1. Do students realize that although God doesn't always work in the ways we expect, He does honour our faith by bringing good results from even the worst situations?

2. Are they convinced that God cares about them and their problems?

3. Can they identify promises from God's Word that they can rely on during circumstances that challenges their faith already?

*THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL TEENS SOLUTION DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*

13/05/2023

*Adult Teacher Jenuary- June, 2023*

May 14, 2023
LESSON 20

Topic: *THE GOOD SHEPHERD*

Memory Verse: Ezekiel 34:16

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgement (KJV).
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
*Central Truth*
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, who cares for His sheep.

*The Lesson Outline*
*1. Wicked Shepherds Described and Judged*
Ezekiel 34:1-10
A. Negligent Shepherds
Condemned
B. Negligent Shepherds
Judged

*2. Wicked Sheep Described and Judged*
Ezekiel 34:17-22
A. Not Only the Leaders Were Wicked
B. The"Fat" Sheep Judged

*3. Good Shepherd Described*
Ezekiel 34:11-31
A. The Divine Shepherd
B. The Davidic Shepherd
🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷 🌷
*Learning Objectives*
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Understand that Christ, our Good Shepherd, is the true and perfect example of godly leadership.

2. Trust in Jesus to be the Good Shepherd of their lives.

3. Seek to exhibit Christlike justice through their words and actions.
🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱
*Introducing the Lesson*
In the previous lesson we learned that God holds all people individually responsible for their deeds. In this lesson, God takes the shepherds, or leaders, of Israel to task for abusing their positions of power. In doing so, we see God's great promise of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who will care
for His sheep.
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
*The Holy Scriptures*
Ezekiel 34:1-31
[1]And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[2]Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
[3]Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
[4]The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
[5]And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
[6]My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
[7]Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
[8]As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
[9]Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
[10]Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
[11]For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
[12]As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
[13]And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
[14]I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
[15]I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
[16]I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
[17]And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.
[18]Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
[19]And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
[20]Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
[21]Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
[22]Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.
[23]And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
[24]And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
[25]And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
[26]And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
[27]And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.
[28]And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
[29]And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.
[30]Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD.
[31]And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.
🪴 🪴 🪴 🪴 🪴 🪴
*Commentary and Application*
*1. Wicked Shepherds Described and Judged*

*A. Negligent Shepherds Condemned-Ezekiel 34:1-9*
In the ancient world outside of the Bible, the term shepherd was often a royal title applied to kings, since they were responsible for the welfare of their nations. One example is the well-known ancient Babylonian king Hammurabi. It is not difficult to understand why this would be, and the fact that the people in general saw this connection is a good reminder of the value of the role of shepherd being filled by a leader.
Therefore, we ought not be surprised that the title, "shepherd," is applied to
David in his role as king: "The LORD told you, You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel's leader" (2 Samuel 5:2, NLT). The term "shepherd" applied to all the kings of Israel (nineteen kings) and
Judah (twenty kings). As shepherds, each king would be responsible for the spiritual and temporal welfare of God's people. By extension, this title applied to the entire ruling class of ancient Israel, including the royal
bureaucracy, magistrates, tax collectors, priests, etc. These individuals were tasked with preserving justice and equity in the legal and social system.

Unfortunately, the behaviour of the Israelite ruling class was often
characterised by injustice and oppression rather than justice and mercy (see Isaiah 5:7). Similarly, Ezekiel accused them of fattening themselves at the public trough while the sheep went poor and hungry
(Ezekiel 34:1-9). These violations would carry consequences: "What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks" (Ezekiel 34:2, NLT). Ezekiel also charged them with ruling the people with undue harshness rather than with kindness and concern. "You have not taken care of the weak.
You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty" (Ezekiel 34:4, NLT).

As a result of misrule, the people had become scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This scattering is not just metaphorical. The delinquency of the shepherds had led to many of God's people (including Ezekiel) being sent into exile. Nevertheless, the shepherds did not seek the lost sheep like a good shepherd would. They cared about the sheep only to the extent
that they could enrich themselves at their expense.
🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱 🌱
*Questions for Application*
How did the behaviour of these ruling shepherds of Israel differ from the model Shepherd described in Psalm 23?

In what ways does God condemn negligent "shepherds" in today's
culture?
🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳 🌳
*B. Negligent Shepherds Judged- Ezekiel 34:10*
God pledged to hold those who had neglected His people responsible for their actions (Ezekiel 34:10), He did not specify what kind of punishment would be applied to the shepherds, but the Scriptures indicate elsewhere that those who abuse and take advantage of His sheep will face severe consequences. In Luke's Gospel Jesus addressed the responsibility of those who have been entrusted with the welfare of His kingdom:
"What if the servant thinks, 'My master Won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required" (Luke 12:45-46, 48. NLT).

Those of God's people who seek positions of power and responsibility in the church should do so with sober judgement, understanding that God will hold them accountable for the manner in which they exercise the offices with which they are entrusted. They must keep in mind that the Lord said He would remove the false shepherds from their positions, thus rescuing His sheep from corrupt rule.
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
*Questions for Application*
In what ways are leaders in the church held to a higher standard than those in their congregations?

Read 1 Peter 5:1-4. How do the instructions in these verses contrast with the behaviour of the shepherds of Israel?
🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
*2. Wicked Sheep Described and Judged*
*A. Not Only the Leaders Were Wicked- Ezeklel 34:17-19*

Ezekiel's denunciation of
Israelite society did not stop with his critique of the rulers and their conduct. He went on to condemn the manner in which the common people were treating one another. God promised to judge, "separating the sheep from the goats" (Ezekiel 34-17. NLT). Translated literally, the verse states, "Between the rams, and the male goats," but the wording is close enough for us to hear the echo of another passage where God is seen judging between sheep and goats. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus told us that, at the end of the age, God will separate the sheep from the goats. He explained that the sheep and goats are differentiated by the way they treated others. He stated in no uncertain terms, "When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" (verse 40, NLT; see verses 37-39). Through Ezekiel, God accused the "goats" of taking "the best of the pastures" for themselves (Ezekiel 34:18, NLT). That is, the rich were guilty of hoarding the best farmland, leaving whatever was left over to the poor.

The prophet Isaiah levelled similar criticism against the rich of his day: "What sorrow for you [or, "woe to you"] who buy up house after house and field after field, until everyone is
evicted and you live alone in the land (Isaiah 5:8, NLT). God's heart is for the poor, and He takes note of any injustice perpetrated against them. Not only were the rich of Israel grabbing the best land for themselves, they were using the power that came with their superior economic position in ways that were harmful to the poor. Ezekiel cried out, "lsn't it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled?" (verses 18-19, NLT). Through their greed and lack of care for the welfare of others, the rich in that society had increased the burdens and hardships of the poor.
🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
*Questions for Application*
What is the Church's responsibility toward the poor in today's world?

What practical things can and should believers be doing to meet needs of the less fortunate in
their communities?
🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃
*B. The "Fat" Sheep Judged- Ezekiel 34:20-22*
In response to the brutal treatment of His sheep, God promised to judge "between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep" (verse 20, NLT; "between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle"; KJV). Most likely, the "fat sheep" represented the rich people in Israelite society, while the "scrawny sheep" represented the poor. So, God would hold the rich accountable for their treatment of the poor and weak of society.

When we encounter those in need, whether or not we are in a position of spiritual leadership, we have a responsibility to express our love for Jesus by showing compassion toward those for whom He gave himself. We should imitate Christ's heart of compassion by defending those who are vulnerable to exploitation, including, but not limited to, the unborn, the aged and infirm, and the disabled. And we should never acquiesce in a system that allows people to be treated as expendable. Those who are strong
"ought to bear the infirmities of the weak' (Romans 15:1, KJV).
🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇
*Questions for Application*
What excuses have you heard for not caring for the needy, and how would you respond to those excuses?

In what ways will our attitude toward the needy reflect our attitude toward Christ (see Matthew 25:31-40)?
🏺 🏺 🏺 🏺 🏺 🏺
*3. Good Shepherd Described*
*A. The Divine Shepherd- Ezekiel 34:11-16*
Beginning in Ezekiel 34:11, the prophet focused on the plans of the true Shepherd of Israel, the Lord himself. Since the human shepherds had scattered the flock, God himself would take over their role. He would be the true Shepherd, gathering them from all the places to which they had scattered, to "give them a place to lie down in peace" (verse 15, NLT). Similar to the shepherd in Jesus' parable (Luke 15:3-7), the Lord stated to Ezekiel, "l will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day" (Ezekiel 34:12. NLT). "Scattered" in this passage alludes to God's people in exile (of which Ezekiel was one). It was the misconduct of the false shepherds that brought about the Babylonian exile, and now the true Shepherd of the sheep promised that He would gather them and restore them to their homeland. He spoke of giving them "good pastureland on the high hills of Israel," and of making them lie down in "pleasant places" and "lush pastures" (verse 14, NLT; see also Psalm 23).
This description is not unlike the good shepherd of whom Jesus said,
"After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they
follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:4, NLT). God's good plans are never at the mercy of evil men. He will always see them through, and His chosen people can rest in the knowledge that, whatever may befall them, their future is not dependent upon luck or circumstances but, rather, is in the hands of their Great and Good
Shepherd.
🥒🥒🥒🥒🥒🥒
*Questions for Application*
The imagery of a shepherd, depicted in various places in Scripture, was a powerful illustration because
shepherding was a common occupation that the people of Bible times would understand. What other shepherds can you name from the Bible?

How does the image of Jesus as your Shepherd impact your relationship
with Him?
🌾 🌾 🌾 🌾 🌾
*B. The Davidic Shepherd- Ezekiel 34:23-31*
Beginning in Ezekiel 34:23, the prophet proclaimed another truth to God's people: The Lord would raise up, from the house of David, One who would serve as the Shepherd for His people. Indeed, the Lord would fulfil His promise to David, to "raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong" (2 Samuel 7:12, NLT). The New Testament makes it clear that this promise is fulfilled in Jesus, the "Good Shepherd" who 'sacrifices his life for the sheep" (John 10:11, NLT). In Ezekiel 34, God and David would both serve as shepherd. Thus, within the messianic ministry and reign of Jesus, the divine Shepherd and the human shepherd are merged together into one, in a manner of speaking. The Shepherd spoken of in Ezekiel is not just another in a long line of Davidic kings, since He will reign as "prince forever" (Ezekiel 37:25, NLT).

As a result of David's rule, Israel would live in peace and safety. In
Ezekiel 34:25, God promised to "drive away the dangerous animals
from the land" (NLT). And in verse 28, God further stated that Israel would no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them" (NLT). In prophetic writing, the imagery of nature is often Used to portray human society. As a result, in the Old Testament it is not unusual for foreign nations to be depicted as ravenous beasts, threatening God's people. Thus, these verses serve as promises of ultimate victory of God's people over their enemies. What marvellous word of hope to the exiles, as well as to us today.

Ezekiel 34 foresees a day in the future when Israel would not have to live in fear of aggressive and warlike Gentile nations. They would enjoy security and safety in their land, free from the oppression of foreigners. The image is similar to that of Isaiah 11, where the coming messianic kingdom is described as a time when the "wolf and the lamb will live
together (Isaiah 11:6, NLT). Indeed, a day is coming when the strong will no longer threaten the weak, and the weak need not fear the strong (see 2:2-4).
💈💈💈💈💈💈
*Questions for Application*
What does Ezekiel 34 tell us about events that are still in the future?

Does the futuristic nature of Ezekiel 34 cause you comfort, anxiety, or a combination of the two? Explain your answer.
🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩
*Call to Discipleship*
Because human leadership is prone to fall short in someway, we must put our ultimate trust in Christ rather than people. He is the Good Shepherd, the One who will always do what is best for the sheep. How do we know what the Good Shepherd's leadership looks like? We
have His example to us in Scripture, the record of His life and ministry on earth. Both those who are leaders and those who are followers are called upon to Imitate the Good Shepherd who
"sacrifices His life for the sheep" (John 10:11, NLT).
🍏 🍏 🍏 🍏 🍏
*Ministry in Action*
Plan a class project to minister to the community by assisting a homeless shelter or some other ministry to the poor in your neighbourhood or city.

Encourage someone going through a hard time that they can have hope for the future because of the Good Shepherd. Offer to pray with them and encourage them during the week.

Examine your life to see how much it compares to the example of a shepherd, then ask God to help you better reflect the Good Shepherd in the way you live and interact with others.
*THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*