GOD'S RESTORATION

Text: Ezekiel 34:17-31

In Micah 3:11-12, the activities of the wicked shepherds from yesterday's study created a very unpleasant situation. Verse 11 says, "the heads thereof judge for reward and the priests teach for hire and the Prophets thereof divine for money, they say no evil shall come upon us". Then in verse 12, we see the effect of their evil actions. "For their sake, Zion is plowed as a field, Jerusalem is become heaps and the mountains of the high places a forest. Regardless of all these however, today, the lord is promising restoration. But, before the restoration comes, he must judge not only between the wicked shepherds and the flock but also between cattle and cattle, and between rams and the he goat. 

Interestingly, these are the different components of the flock of God. He knows each person and the category they belong to. He also knows all that we do as members of the church. He sees our relationship with one another. He says, "I will judge between the fat cattle and the lean cattle" (vs30). The question is;  which kind of cattle are you? Are you the type that eat and trample the rest of the pasture so that others will not eat (vs17). Is it the water you muddle after drinking your fill? How do you shove with the flank and shoulder? Why do you butt the weak with your horns mercilessly until you've driven them away? While you were doing all this was the holy spirit not warning you? Yet you refused to retrace your steps until you cause people to scatter, to err and to become easy preys to the enemy. Child of God, why must you shout on top of your voice at that church  council meeting just to ensure you discredit a brother or sister and even the Reverend posted to your church? Why must it the church buy everything you suggest? Why must you have your way all the time simply because you are one of the "pillars of the church and the top financier"? God is not happy with you. You traded truth and bought lie, who taught you that? Instead of loving you hate. You forgot that Jehovah prefers justice and mercy instead of your tithes of Cumin and Anise.

Nonetheless, It is a heart warning promise we have in verses 25-31. God can never bear with wickedness forever. At the appointed time he rises up to judge and to restore. In Jesus he's given us the covenant of peace (v25). He has restored the rains in their seasons. The showers of blessings are here. More so, the field will yield their increase and the ground its crops. Iron bars of oppression are broken from our necks and his rescue has come. Alleluia! All of these fulfilment is found in Jesus. When you come to him, you find the real shepherd of your soul. He feeds the hungry and tends the broken. He finds the lost and comforts the ailing. All he gives is peace and tranquility. For the effect of righteousness shall be peace and quietness forever. Jesus makes it possible. Stop running from one pastor to another in search of solution. Without a personal relationship with the real shepherd of your soul, all you are doing is a waste of time.