Ezekiel 34:14-24

14 I will let them graze in safety in the mountain meadows and the valleys and in all the green pastures of the land of Israel.

15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will find them a place to rest. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken.

16 "I will look for those that are lost, bring back those that wander off, bandage those that are hurt, and heal those that are sick; but those that are fat and strong I will destroy, because I am a shepherd who does what is right.

17 "Now then, my flock, I, the Sovereign Lord, tell you that I will judge each of you and separate the good from the bad, the sheep from the goats.

18 Some of you are not satisfied with eating the best grass; you even trample down what you don't eat! You drink the clear water and muddy what you don't drink!

19 My other sheep have to eat the grass you trample down and drink the water you muddy.

20 "So now, I, the Sovereign Lord, tell you that I will judge between you strong sheep and the weak sheep.

21 You pushed the sick ones aside and butted them away from the flock.

22 But I will rescue my sheep and not let them be mistreated any more. I will judge each of my sheep and separate the good from the bad.

23 I will give them a king like my servant David to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them. ¹

24 I, the Lord, will be their God, and a king like my servant David will be their ruler. I have spoken. ²

Ezekiel 34:14-24 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.

Cross References

• 1. 34.23Revelation 7.17.
• 2. 34.24Ezekiel 37.24.