Yahweh Ra'ah

 

[the Lord said] “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord GOD. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 34:25-31 ESV).

 

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope each of you will read today’s Morning Devotional as a declaration of the greatest expression of love that could ever be received. The name of God we are exploring today is Yahweh Ra’ah. The Hebrew word “ra’ah” (pronounced “ro-eh”) is first seen in the very familiar Psalm of David (cf. Psalm 23). Here he simply declares “the Lord is my Shepherd” (v. 1). However, our reading today gives us a bit more depth as to the meaning of this word attached to the name of God.  

 

The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy against the “shepherds of Israel” (cf. Ezekiel 34:2). The religious leaders of Israel had been seeking their own advantage rather than taking care of the people of Israel, their flock. God set Himself to correct this inequity and corruption. To do so, He would become the true Shepherd of His people. Sheep and shepherds are common metaphors in the Old Testament. God is often mentioned as the shepherd of his people Israel. Only once, though, do we find the name Yahweh Ra’ah, meaning “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).

 

The Hebrew word ra’ah, meaning “shepherd,” describes one who tends, leads, feeds, and protects his flock of sheep. As a shepherd cares for his flock, so Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his people, providing for all their needs and guiding and protecting them. Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his covenant people as a flock and as individual, precious sheep. The closing verses of our reading today make clear the magnificent ways in which Yahweh Ra’ah promises to care for his sheep. He doesn’t disappoint. The Lord is your good shepherd. Lean on him, for he protects and provides and cares for you.