Ezekiel 34:17-22 – Help others and do not exploit them.

The words of Ezekiel 34:17-22 were given to the people of God. Here His words were specially addressed to His flock, Israel His people. The warning given was for them to know that God would judge everyone in His flock – all the sheep, rams, and male goats.

What are the similarities or differences between a ram and a goat? Rams and goats belong to different species of animal. But both have horns although they are shaped differently. The rams have thick wool while goats only have a thin veneer of hairs. Using rams and male goats God was pointing to the different status of his people. Some were powerful and rich and some were lean and poor.  

The point God makes in this passage is that no one would be excluded from His judgment. Whether one was rich like the thick woolly male sheep or poor hairy goat, all would be evaluated and judged. No partiality would be shown. Everyone would come under divine scrutiny.

God could identify those who had exploited the situation to enrich themselves whilst destroying the opportunity for others. He would remove those greedy and selfish exploiters who had spoiled the pastures and muddied the water for others. He would punish them for they had trampled on the rights of their fellowmen. He would deliver the exploited and deal with the exploiters fairly and judiciously. God would not allow anyone to take advantage and prey on His people.

What are the takeaways: God is the just arbitrator of life. He can see and know those who exploit others and those who are being exploited. As His children, we must not take advantage of others and destroy their opportunity to enjoy a blessed life. We must live for God and for each other. Remember to love God but also be reminded to love our neighbors as ourselves.