Ezekiel 31-34

God had a very stern message for the king of Egypt.  Comparing Egypt to a tree God said that their arrogance has led him to cut down the tree.  But God also set out a warning for future kingdoms; Ezekiel 31:14 – “…from now on, no tree, no matter how well-watered it is, will grow that tall again or push its top through the clouds and reach such a height.”  It sounds like God is warning future governments not to attempt world dominance as Egypt did in the past.  He will not allow it.

There is another passage in this section that caught my attention.  In chapter 34 Ezekiel writes about the selfish practices of the leaders in Jerusalem.  How they have abandoned leading the flock and instead chose to use the flock to their own advantage.  In verses 20-22 God compares that flock to a mixing of sheep and goats.  His implication is that he goats within the flock are pushing the sheep away from the same opportunities and then keeping them trampled down.  In verse 22 God says “…I will rescue my sheep…”.  But how does he define his sheep?  He defined them as the weak and the sick.  Those who are the most vulnerable.  But we should not confuse that to mean all the weak and sick in the world.  The flock was first of all comprised of those who seek to follow after God.  Faith is the first definition of God’s flock.  Within that flock of faith there are weak and sick sheep.  Those are the ones whom God claims as his own. 

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus