The unstoppable Shepherd
The great blessing of fulfilled prophecy is in the way that it strengthens our trust in God and His Word. From the first mention of the victory of Jesus over sin, death and Satan in Genesis three, the Old Testament is packed with predictions that Jesus Christ fulfilled. By looking at how God overcame obstacles to His plan, we gain deeper trust for the promises He has yet to fulfil. When God promises His Shepherd will guide us to springs of living water, we don’t wish for it, we wait for it.
Scripture
Ezekiel 34:22-24 ESV I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.
John 10:14-16 ESV I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Bible Study Questions
God promised the people of Israel that His plan was still on track even though they had lost their king, country and even their temple. How is Ezekiel’s promise built on the promise of Nathan the prophet from 400 years earlier? (2 Samuel 11-13)
Why do you think that God promises a “Shepherd”, how is a Shepherd different from a king? (John 10:14-16)
In 2 Chronicles 21:6-7 God makes it clear that Jehoram did not please Him nor did he act like a shepherd to God’s people . What does God still remain faithful to?
2 Chronicles 22:10-11 records how Jehoshabeath, an otherwise unknown woman steps in and saves the last remaining heir in the royal line of David - thereby making sure that God’s prophecy will not fail. What does this tell us about the way God uses ordinary people to achieve His purposes?
God has perfectly preserved His Word is making sure that Jesus was born of the royal line of David (Matthew 1:1). After His death and resurrection, Jesus is seated on the throne next to God the Father. Can anyone remove Him from the throne? (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus has fulfilled Ezekiel and Nathan’s prophecies, and has become our Shepherd, what will the Shepherd do when the time is right? (Matthew 25:31-33, Revelation 7:17)
What does Jesus say about all the prophecies in Scripture that have yet to be fulfilled, and what should we be doing until that happens? (Luke 24:44-49)
Prayer
Dear Father God in Heaven, Please forgive us for neglecting Your Word rather than meditating on Your great promises. Please forgive us for allowing the things of the world to distract and disturb us without going back to your promises to find reassurance. Please help us to focus on You in these difficult times, so that we can complete the work You have prepared for us. Please strengthen us and restore us by Your Word and Your Holy Spirit, and thank You for the Great Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ and everything He has done to save us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling-place shall be.
Service
The times we’re facing can fill us with fear and uncertainty. This can paralyse us and stop us from doing what God has commanded us to do. What are you finding difficult to do in these times, what are you afraid to do? Let’s ask the Lord to speak to those fears and help us to overcome them through a knowledge of His promises and the wonderful way that He has fulfilled them. Then let’s ask Him to send us out to do the work He’s created us for. In Jesus Name.