Ezekiel 34:11-21

11 "'God, the Master, says: From now on, I myself am the shepherd. I'm going looking for them.

12 As shepherds go after their flocks when they get scattered, I'm going after my sheep. I'll rescue them from all the places they've been scattered to in the storms.

13 I'll bring them back from foreign peoples, gather them from foreign countries, and bring them back to their home country. I'll feed them on the mountains of Israel, along the streams, among their own people.

14 I'll lead them into lush pasture so they can roam the mountain pastures of Israel, graze at leisure, feed in the rich pastures on the mountains of Israel.

15 And I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep. I myself will make sure they get plenty of rest.

16 I'll go after the lost, I'll collect the strays, I'll doctor the injured, I'll build up the weak ones and oversee the strong ones so they're not exploited.

17 "'And as for you, my dear flock, I'm stepping in and judging between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

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,

Ezekiel 34:11-21 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.