Prophets Final Paper

Carley R. Billings

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

BLIT4443 The Prophets

Dr. Ensor

April 27, 2024

Introduction

In biblical literature, ideas and messages connect throughout the Old and New

Testaments portraying profound truths. The parallelism between Ezekiel 34 and John 10 stands

as an example of the relationship between the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament in

relationship to the shepherding theme. Ezekiel, the prophet-priest receives a vision from God

denouncing the failed shepherds of Israel and a future promise of a faithful shepherd who will

care for his flock, leading with justice and compassion (Ezek. 34:1-24). Several years later in the

biblical storyline, the Gospel of John shares Jesus’ declaration of himself as the Good Shepherd

who lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:1-21). By reading these passages simultaneously

within the broader context, there is a theme related to God’s shepherding care and Jesus’ role as

the Good Shepherd. Despite being from different historical contexts and authors, Ezekiel 34 and

John 10 share theological understandings, revealing insights into the nature of God and the

identity of Jesus. Using Ezekiel and John as biblical witnesses improves knowledge

of Jesus’ redemptive work and the weight he places on his relationship with his people.

Ezekiel 34 Context

Written in the third and final section of Ezekiel, chapters 34-48 explore the future hope

for Israel and ultimately creation focusing on the restorative work, resurrection, and return God

has planned for his people (Craigie, 1883). In the context of the passage, the shepherds are the

failed leaders of Israel. Ezekiel's message declares the judgment the leaders will face because

they failed to care for the people under their responsibility (Craigie, 1883). While the Israelites

were suffering, the shepherds were reaping the benefits of their position, but not accepting

responsibility for their sheep (Craigie, 1883). They abandoned their obligations leaving the sheep

wandering and vulnerable against the external conditions and circumstances. Ezekiel prophesies
God intervening on behalf of his people because of the failure of the appointed

leaders. God’s concern and action show that the sheep matter more than the shepherds, and his

fundamental concern is with his people (Craigie, 1983). Craigie highlights God’s caring nature

and unfailing love stating, “No shepherd can function without participating in that love; no sheep

can live without experiencing that love” (Craigie, 1983, p. 184). Abandonment of God’s ways

results in a loss of future. However, Ezekiel knew God’s heart for his people and the hope for a

future.

John 10 Context

John chapter 10 follows immediately after Jesus’ sixth miracle in the Gospel of John,

which is the healing of a man born blind. Dr. Joseph Dongell, professor at Asbury Theological

Seminary notes, “the hard treatment meted out to the blind man who had been healed in John 9

sets the stage for Jesus to highlight the difference between his care for Israel and the care offered

by the current religious leaders” (1997, p. 129). The healing is significant for more than its

miraculous nature; it raised controversy among the Pharisees. This resulted in division among the

Pharisees who recognized Jesus’ power as divine and those who rejected it (John 10:19). Against

these claims, John 10 presents Jesus’ teaching using the shepherd and sheep metaphor. This

imagery would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience in these chapters as shepherding was a

common trade at the time, and many would have been familiar with the Old Testament

references to God as the shepherd of Israel (Milne, 2020). In this passage, Jesus identified

himself as the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep in contrast to the Pharisees, who exploit

and harm them. This imagery describes Jesus’ relationship with his followers and his willingness

to sacrifice his life for them.

Comparison of Themes and Connection of Passages

 Shepherding holds significant weight in Old and New Testament culture portraying the

idea of leadership, care, and protection as God intended it. This theme throughout scripture

underscores the importance of selflessness, integrity, and genuine concern for the well-being of

others. While Ezekiel condemns the failure of human leaders and anticipates God’s intervention,

John portrays Jesus as the ultimate Shepherd who fulfills compassion and sacrificial leadership.

God’s connection with his people is a result of his pursuit of a relationship with them. He does

not wait for them to return to him, or have someone gather them on his behalf, he goes after them

himself (Dongell, 1997). God seeks out the flock for their good. It emphasizes that the sheep’s

well-being motivates the shepherd’s efforts (Dongell, 1997). In literal terms, humanity’s well-

being motivates God’s actions.

Theological Implications

Ezekiel 34 and John 10 offer several insights into Jesus’ fulfillment as the Good

Shepherd and God’s care in relationship with his people. Ezekiel 34 shows God’s promise to

seek out and rescue his lost sheep, showing his commitment to reconciliation and restoration

(Woolard, 2024). Similarly, John 10 portrays Jesus as the shepherd who guides his sheep to

safety and abundance (John 10:16). This speaks to God’s compassionate nature and his desire to

restore humanity. Additionally, both passages emphasize that service and sacrifice-oriented

leadership is fundamental (Boahang, 2001). Jesus as the Good Shepherd displays a willingness to

sacrifice his life for his sheep. It is about service rather than authority or power. In Ezekiel 34,

the failures of Israel are contrasted with God’s promise to personally shepherd his people. In

John 10, Jesus contrasts himself with the hired hand who abandons the sheep in times of trouble.

Ezekiel’s prophecy of God’s restoration and sacrificial love serve as a foreshadowing of the

ultimate gospel narrative – the redemption of humanity through Christ (Wright, 2001). God’s
promise to deliver his people and lead them to a land of abundance echoes in the message of

salvation and renewal found in the New Testament (Wright, 2001).

Conclusion

The New Testament often points to Jesus as the one who fulfills the Old Testament

promises, specifically the promise of a righteous shepherd. Each characteristic the prophets

assign to a good shepherd are reflected in Christ. Ezekiel’s condemnation of failed human

leaders and his anticipation of God’s intervention resonate with John’s portrayal of Jesus as the

ultimate Shepherd. Both passages emphasize the importance of genuine concern for the well-

being of others in leadership roles. The passages invite readers to respond to this example and

submit their service to God and others. Ultimately, Ezekiel 34 and John 10 highlight the

theological implications of the redemptive work of Jesus.

 References

Boaheng, Isaac. "Exegetical and Theological Reflections on John 10:1-18: Implications for

Contemporary African Christian Leadership." Published online 1 Oct. 2021. Conspectus:

The Journal of the South African Theological Seminary, vol. 32, no. 1, 2021,

https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2021.2.10.

Craigie, P. C. (1983). Ezekiel. The Westminister Press Philadelphia.

Dongell, J. (1997). John: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Wesleyan Publishing

House.

Kelle, B. E. (2013). Ezekiel: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Beacon Hill Press of

Kansas City.

Milne, B. (2020). The message of John: Here Is Your King. Inter-Varsity Press.

The ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2008

Woollard, W. (2024, March 7). The “Gospel” of Ezekiel.

BibleProject. https://bibleproject.com/articles/ezekiels-gospel/

Wright, C. J. (2001). The message of Ezekiel: A New Heart and a New Spirit. InterVarsity Press.