Ezekiel 34

Ezekiel 34:1

B. The False Shepherds and the Good Shepherd (Chap. 34)34:1-6 The shepherds (rulers) were interested in themselves and not in the welfare of the sheep (the people). They ruled harshly, and the sheep became scattered. To this day many religious leaders have not learned the lesson of serving the sheep. They confuse their “service” with a means of gain. We can praise God for leaders who serve eagerly, as examples to the flock. The Lord allowed the flock to be scattered first in order to prevent further damage (v. 10). Yates describes the situation well: A heart-rending picture is painted of the unfaithful preachers of Ezekiel’s day. The flock are scattered, untended and hungry while selfish shepherds pamper themselves and loll in idleness and luxury without any thought of their responsibility. They are careful to look out for their own food and clothing and comfort but no one else is to be considered for a minute. 34:7-10 Therefore God is determined to rescue His sheep from these false shepherds. But all the time He has blessing in mind, and so He will gather the sheep and take care of individual needs. The greatest blessing will be the relation between the Lord and His sheep, an intimate fellowship between God and man. 34:11-16 He will be their Shepherd and will . . . gather them to the land and rule over them (during the Millennium). Evangelist D. L. Moody nicely outlines God’s ministry to His sheep: Notice the “I will’s” of the Lord God on behalf of his sheep. The Shepherd and the sheep:V. 11. I will search them and seek them out. V. 12. I will deliver them. V. 13. I will bring them out. V. 13. I will gather them together. V. 13. I will bring them in. V. 14. I will feed them. V. 15. I will cause them to lie down. V. 16. I will bind up the broken. V. 16. I will strengthen the sick. There are a good many lean sheep in God’s fold, but none in his pasture. Some people, including a certain type of preacher, try to suggest that the God of the OT is a harsh and unloving Deity, in contrast to God as He is presented in the NT. John Taylor beautifully ties together the revelations of God as Shepherd in both Testaments for us: The picture of the shepherd searching out the wanderer, in verse 12, is a remarkable foreshadowing of the parable of the lost sheep (Luk_15:4ff.), which our Lord doubtless based on this passage in Ezekiel. It illustrates as clearly as anything can do the tender, loving qualities of the God of the Old Testament, and strikes a death-blow at those who try to drive a wedge between Yahweh, God of Israel, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nor is it the only passage that speaks of the tender shepherd (cf. Psa_78:52f.; Psa_79:13; Psa_80:1; Isa_40:11; Isa_49:9f.; Jer_31:10). 34:17-24 The Lord GOD will also save His true sheep from the false shepherds, which are selfish and cruel. “My servant David” in verses 23 and 24 refers to the Lord Jesus, who is descended from David. The Hebrew Christian, David Baron, explains: Even the Jews explained the name “David” in these passages as applying to the Messiahthe great Son of David in whom all the promises to the Davidic house are centered. Thus Kimchi, in his comment on Eze_34:23, says: “My servant Davidthat is, the Messiah who shall spring from his seed in the time of salvation”: and in the 24th verse of chapter 37 he observes: “The King MessiahHis name shall be called David because He shall be of the seed of David.” And so practically all the Jewish commentators. 34:25-31 The security and prosperity of God’s flock during the future reign of Christ are described here. Under a covenant of peace (v. 25) there shall be showers of blessing (v. 26) and a garden of renown (v. 29). The ideal form of government is a beneficent, absolute monarchy with Christ as King.