I Will Shepherd My Sheep
"I Myself will search for My flock"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Because Israel's leaders, its shepherds, had scattered God's people, God said, "I Myself will search for My flock." He promised to gather them, feed them in good pasture, seek the lost, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak. He would stop the strong sheep from bullying the weak and set over them one shepherd, his servant David.
Where it is in the Bible: Ezekiel 34:11-24
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. I Myself Will Search | 34:11-12 | God will look for his scattered sheep |
| 2. Good Pasture | 34:13-15 | God will bring them home and feed them |
| 3. The Lost and the Broken | 34:16 | God cares for the weakest |
| 4. Bullies in the Flock | 34:17-22 | God protects the weak from the strong |
| 5. One Shepherd | 34:23-24 | God will appoint his servant David |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Ezekiel was a priest and prophet taken to Babylon in exile (Ezekiel 1:1-3).
What comes before. Earlier in chapter 34, God condemns Israel's leaders, called shepherds. They fed themselves instead of the sheep. They didn't care for the sick or look for the lost. So the sheep were scattered (34:2-6).
What this passage is. God's answer: if the shepherds won't care for the sheep, God will do it himself.
How to read it. Count how many times God says "I."
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5I Myself Will Search
"Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out" (34:11).
Like a shepherd looking for scattered sheep, God will rescue them from every place they wandered on a dark and cloudy day.
Section 2 of 5Good Pasture
God will bring them home and feed them on the mountains of Israel.
"I will feed them in good pasture" (34:14).
"I will tend My flock and make them lie down" (34:15).
Section 3 of 5The Lost and the Broken
"I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak" (34:16).
Strays are sheep that wandered away. To bind up means to bandage.
But the "sleek and strong," the bullies who pushed others around, God will judge.
"I will shepherd them with justice" (34:16).
Section 4 of 5Bullies in the Flock
God speaks to the sheep themselves. Some strong sheep ate the good grass and then trampled the rest. They drank clean water and then muddied it.
The weak sheep were left with what was trampled and muddy.
Strong sheep shoved the weak ones with their shoulders and horns until they were scattered.
"I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey" (34:22). Prey means an animal hunted and attacked.
Section 5 of 5One Shepherd
"I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them" (34:23).
King David had died long before. This means a new King from David's family.
"I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them" (34:24).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "I Myself will search for My flock" (34:11) | God himself comes looking for his people. |
| "I will feed them in good pasture" (34:14) | God gives what his people need. |
| "Seek the lost... bind up the broken" (34:16) | God cares most for the weakest. |
| "I will shepherd them with justice" (34:16) | God protects the weak from those who hurt them. |
| "They will no longer be prey" (34:22) | God keeps his people safe. |
| "One shepherd, My servant David" (34:23) | A King from David's family will shepherd them. |
Back Then
Shepherds lived with their sheep. They led them to grass and water, protected them, and searched for lost ones.
"Shepherd" was a common word for king in the ancient world.
Jeremiah gave a similar message about bad shepherds and the righteous Branch from David's family (Jeremiah 23:1-6).
Literal Reader Alert
Does God destroy strong people? God judges people who use their strength to hurt the weak. Being strong isn't wrong. Bullying is.
Who is "My servant David"? David had died about 400 years earlier. This points to a future King from David's family. Christians believe it is Jesus.
What if I'm being pushed around? God sees. He says his flock "will no longer be prey." If someone is hurting you, please tell a trusted adult.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lost sheep | Scattered | They had wandered on a dark day (34:12) |
| The weak sheep | Pushed around | Strong sheep shoved them (34:21) |
| The flock | Safe | God himself is their shepherd (34:22) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which part of God's promise do you need? Tap one.
I'm lost
God himself is searching for you.
I'm broken
He binds up the broken.
I'm being pushed around
God judges the bullies and protects the weak.
I'm hungry
He feeds his sheep in good pasture.
You Might Have Heard
"God helps the strong, and the weak get left behind."
What's true: God gives people strength.
What the passage is mainly about: God goes looking for the lost, the strays, the broken, and the weak. He stops the strong from bullying them. He shepherds with justice.
Where Jesus is: Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11). He came "to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).
Good News
The leaders failed the sheep. God said, "I'll do it myself."
"I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak" (34:16).
God came in Jesus, the good shepherd from David's family. He searches for the lost and carries them home.
When the shepherds failed, God said, "I Myself will search for My flock." Jesus is the good shepherd who seeks the lost and binds up the broken.
Big Idea
"I Myself will search for My flock." God seeks the lost, binds up the broken, protects the weak, and gives them one good shepherd from David's family.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther said pastors are only under-shepherds. Christ is the true shepherd, and their job is to point people to him.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Ezekiel 34:11-16 and 20-24 on Christ the King Sunday, next to Jesus's parable of the sheep and the goats.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak
How did that feel?
You finished I Will Shepherd My Sheep.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Christ the King Year AFirst reading, Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24
For a newsletter or sermon notes
I Will Shepherd My Sheep, explained in plain words. The shepherds failed. God says he will look for his sheep himself. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/i-will-shepherd-my-sheep/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church