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1Yahweh spoke to me, saying,[#34:1 Ezekiel 34 constitutes panel H in the chiastic structure of the book. It deals with the metaphorical theme of shepherds and sheep, with two distinct applications. The first of these focuses on the corrupt and godless leaders of Israel—the heartless and cruel “shepherds of Israel” who brutalize their “flock” (vv. 2–4). The second application of the metaphor focuses on as the quintessential “good shepherd,” who nurtures and lovingly cares for his people, his “flock” (vv. 12–13). will also provide a legacy of godly leaders for the future, via the spiritual descendants of King David. This metaphor is taken up by Jesus in John 10, where he declared himself the ultimate “Good Shepherd” ( John 10:14), caring for all those followers God, his Father, gives him. This chapter serves as a contrasting parallel with Ezek. 22–23 (panel H), a metaphorical allegory of the two adulterous sisters, identifying them with the godless and immoral kingdoms of Israel and Judah.]
2“Son of man, prophesy against the leaders of Israel; prophesy and say to them, ‘Listen, you leaders, Lord Yahweh has a message for you: Disaster is in store for the shepherds of Israel whose only concern is to feed themselves. Aren’t shepherds supposed to feed the sheep?[#34:2 Or “shepherds.”]
3Yet you eat the fat, you shear the sheep to make your clothes, you slaughter the fattest sheep for your feasts , but you never feed the flock.[#34:3 The fat of a sacrifice, according to the law of Moses, was reserved for God (see Lev. 3:16; 7:23–25). Some translators change the vocalization of the Hebrew to read “you eat [drink] the milk.”]
4You haven’t cared for the weak ones, brought healing to the sick, nor bandaged those who are injured. You haven’t looked for the strays nor brought the lost back to the fold . Instead, you have ruled over them cruelly and treated them harshly.[#34:4 These “sheep” (v. 3) represent followers of God who are often found weak, wounded, and needing inner healing. True shepherds will care for them and bring them into wholeness. See Luke 10:29–36; Gal. 6:1.]
5Because there was no shepherd to care for the sheep , they were scattered and were eaten by every wild beast.
6My flock has wandered aimlessly over every hill and mountain over the face of the earth, and no one went to look for them or tried to find them.[#34:6 See Luke 15:1–7; 19:10.]
7“ ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh :
8As surely as I live, declares Lord Yahweh —my sheep have become the prey of every wild beast. Since there was no shepherd to protect my sheep, they have been devoured. My shepherds have not searched for my sheep; they have cared for themselves and not the flock.
9Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh :
10Lord Yahweh says: Behold, I am against you selfish shepherds! I will hold you accountable for my flock, and I will demand that you return my flock to me. No longer will you feed only yourselves because I will rescue my sheep from your mouths. You will help yourselves to my sheep no longer.’ ”[#34:10 Or “I will restrain you from tending the flock.”; #34:10 Or “My flock will no longer be a source of food for you!” This prophecy (vv. 1–10) is an elaboration of Jeremiah’s prophecy in Jer. 23:1–8.]
11“For Lord Yahweh says: ‘From now on, I will personally search for my sheep and look after them.[#34:11 Or “I will inspect them carefully [to see if they are injured].” See Lev. 13:36.]
12As a good shepherd searches after his scattered sheep, so I will look after my sheep and rescue them from wherever they have been scattered on the day of disaster.[#34:12 Or literally “As a shepherd looks after his flock on the day when he is in the middle of his sheep that have been scattered.”; #34:12 Or “on the day of thick clouds and darkness,” likely a metaphor for a time of disaster.]
13I will bring them back from foreign countries and gather them together as my flock and return them to their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valley streams and in all the fertile places.[#34:13 The “mountains” were where the bad shepherds failed to care for the flock. , the Good Shepherd, will feed them there.; #34:13 Or “in all the inhabited places of the country,” that is, the fertile regions where people could live off the land.]
14I will feed them in fair meadows and on the slopes of the mountains of Israel. There they will lie down in good grazing grounds and graze in green pastures on the mountains of Israel.
15-16I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will give them rest. I will seek out the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the injured, and heal those that are sick. I will watch over the fat and healthy of the flock. I will be a true, caring shepherd to them. I, Lord Yahweh , have spoken.[#34:15–16 As translated from ancient versions, which make a minor change to the Hebrew. The Hebrew is “I will destroy.”; #34:15–16 Or “I will shepherd the flock with justice.”]
17“ ‘As for you, my sheep, Lord Yahweh says to you: I am the one who judges between one sheep and the other, between rams and billy goats.
18Since you’re not satisfied with feeding from the best pastures, you also trample down the rest of the grass. You’re not satisfied to drink the clean water; must you also muddy up the rest of the water with your feet?
19Is it right that my sheep have to eat what you have walked all over? Is it right that they must drink muddy water because of your trampling feet?
20Therefore, Lord Yahweh says this: I am the one who judges between the strong sheep and the weak.[#34:20 Or “the fat sheep and the lean sheep.”]
21Because you shove with your side and your shoulder and thrust your horns at all the weak sheep until you scatter them, therefore,
22I will come and save my sheep and rescue them from being victimized. I will judge between one sheep and another.
23“ ‘I will raise up one shepherd over them, like my servant David, and put him in charge of my flock to feed them. He will care for them and be their shepherd.[#34:23 The reference to David cannot be literal since he died nearly four hundred years prior to Ezekiel’s ministry in Babylon. However, the prophetic context of this section clearly indicates that the reference to David is typological. He is one of the greatest Messianic forerunners in the Old Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ—the perfect embodiment of the Good Shepherd—and he is undoubtedly anticipated by this profound metaphorical description (see v. 24).]
24I, Yahweh , will be their God, and my servant, like David, will be their prince taken from among them. I, Yahweh , have spoken.[#34:24 This is a prophecy of Jesus, the Son of David, who came as the Messiah and King of Israel.]
25I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of its wild beasts. Then they will be able to live securely in the wilderness and sleep soundly in the forest.
26And I will make them and the places all around my sacred hill a blessing. And I will send showers of blessing —showers will come down in their season.[#34:26 In the context, “them” takes us back to vv. 20–22. It is the “weak [persecuted]” sheep that God will make a blessing. The strong sheep have exploited them, but God takes note of it all and promises to “bless” the weak sheep. Then he will cause showers of blessings, which likely represent prosperity. This is associated with actual rains coming in their seasons to bring blessing to the land and the growth of abundant crops. This will come after the “weak” suffer at the hands of the strong, powerful sheep with horns (authority), the ones who get rich by making others poor.; #34:26 See Joel 2:25–32; Zech. 10:1; Mal. 3:10.]
27And the tree of the field will yield its luscious fruit, the earth will yield its harvest, and they will live safely in their own land. When I set them free from slavery and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them, then they will acknowledge that I am Yahweh .[#34:27 Jesus is that “tree of the field” that stands above all others. See Ps. 1:3; Song. 2:3.; #34:27 Or “When I break the bars of their yoke.”]
28Foreign powers will no longer plunder them; the wild beasts of the land will no longer feast on them. They will live safe and secure, with no one to frighten them.
29I will establish for them a planting of renown so that they will no longer suffer from famine. And they will no longer have to endure the insults of other nations.[#34:29 Or “a famous planting.” Jesus Christ is that “famous planting” or “planting of renown” that was planted into our hearts as the Seed of God ( 1 Peter 1:23).; #34:29 See Amos 8:11–14.]
30So they will know that I, Yahweh , am with them as their God. And they, the people of Israel, will know that they are my people—declares the Lord Yahweh .[#34:30 Today, we know that God is with us at all times. See Heb. 13:5–6.]
31And you, my people, are my sheep, the flock of my pasture are people, and I am your God. I, Lord Yahweh , have spoken.’ ”