Ezekiel 34:18-28

18 Aren't you satisfied to feed in good pasture without taking over the whole place? Can't you be satisfied to drink from the clear stream without muddying the water with your feet?

19 Why do the rest of my sheep have to make do with grass that's trampled down and water that's been muddied?

20 "'Therefore, God, the Master, says: I myself am stepping in and making things right between the plump sheep and the skinny sheep.

21 Because you forced your way with shoulder and rump and butted at all the weaker animals with your horns till you scattered them all over the hills,

22 I'll come in and save my dear flock, no longer let them be pushed around. I'll step in and set things right between one sheep and another.

23 "'I'll appoint one shepherd over them all: my servant David. He'll feed them. He'll be their shepherd.

24 And I, God, will be their God. My servant David will be their prince. I, God, have spoken.

25 "'I'll make a covenant of peace with them. I'll banish fierce animals from the country so the sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest.

26 I'll make them and everything around my hill a blessing. I'll send down plenty of rain in season - showers of blessing!

27 The trees in the orchards will bear fruit, the ground will produce, they'll feel content and safe on their land, and they'll realize that I am God when I break them out of their slavery and rescue them from their slave masters.

28 "'No longer will they be exploited by outsiders and ravaged by fierce beasts. They'll live safe and sound, fearless and free.

Ezekiel 34:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 34

In the former chapter the prophet prophesies against the people of the Jews, both those of the captivity, and those who were not; and here against the shepherds of Israel. This he is bid to do, Eze 34:1,2, whose cruelty to the flock, negligence and unfaithfulness are exposed, Eze 34:3-6, for which reasons they are threatened to be deprived of their office, Eze 34:7-10, and the Lord promises to take the care of the flock upon himself, to seek out his sheep, and feed them, and do every kind office to them, Eze 34:11-16 and then the strong of the flock, that oppressed the weak, are threatened with punishment, Eze 34:17-22 and the promise of the Messiah, as the shepherd of the flock, is made, under whom all prosperity and happiness might be expected, Eze 34:23-31.