Ezekiel 34

1 et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

2 fili hominis propheta de pastoribus Israhel propheta et dices pastoribus haec dicit Dominus Deus vae pastoribus Israhel qui pascebant semet ipsos nonne greges pascuntur a pastoribus

3 lac comedebatis et lanis operiebamini et quod crassum erat occidebatis gregem autem meum non pascebatis

4 quod infirmum fuit non consolidastis et quod aegrotum non sanastis quod fractum est non alligastis et quod abiectum est non reduxistis quod perierat non quaesistis sed cum austeritate imperabatis eis et cum potentia

5 et dispersae sunt oves meae eo quod non esset pastor et factae sunt in devorationem omnium bestiarum agri et dispersae sunt

6 erraverunt greges mei in cunctis montibus et in universo colle excelso et super omnem faciem terrae dispersi sunt greges mei et non erat qui requireret non erat inquam qui requireret

7 propterea pastores audite verbum Domini

8 vivo ego dicit Dominus Deus quia pro eo quod facti sunt greges mei in rapinam et oves meae in devorationem omnium bestiarum agri eo quod non esset pastor neque enim quaesierunt pastores gregem meum sed pascebant pastores semet ipsos et greges meos non pascebant

9 propterea pastores audite verbum Domini

10 haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego ipse super pastores requiram gregem meum de manu eorum et cessare eos faciam ut ultra non pascant gregem nec pascant amplius pastores semet ipsos et liberabo gregem meum de ore eorum et non erunt ultra eis in escam

11 quia haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego ipse requiram oves meas et visitabo eas

12 sicut visitat pastor gregem suum in die quando fuerit in medio ovium suarum dissipatarum sic visitabo oves meas et liberabo eas de omnibus locis quo dispersae fuerant in die nubis et caliginis

13 et educam eas de populis et congregabo eas de terris et inducam eas in terram suam et pascam eas in montibus Israhel in rivis et in cunctis sedibus terrae

14 in pascuis uberrimis pascam eas et in montibus excelsis Israhel erunt pascuae eorum ibi requiescent in herbis virentibus et in pascuis pinguibus pascentur super montes Israhel

15 ego pascam oves meas et ego eas accubare faciam dicit Dominus Deus

16 quod perierat requiram et quod abiectum erat reducam et quod confractum fuerat alligabo et quod infirmum erat consolidabo et quod pingue et forte custodiam et pascam illas in iudicio

17 vos autem greges mei haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego iudico inter pecus et pecus arietum et hircorum

18 nonne satis vobis erat pascuam bonam depasci insuper et reliquias pascuarum vestrarum conculcastis pedibus vestris et cum purissimam aquam biberetis reliquam pedibus vestris turbabatis

19 et oves meae his quae conculcata pedibus vestris fuerant pascebantur et quae pedes vestri turbaverant haec bibebant

20 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus ad eos ecce ego ipse iudico inter pecus pingue et macilentum

21 pro eo quod lateribus et umeris inpingebatis et cornibus vestris ventilabatis omnia infirma pecora donec dispergerentur foras

22 salvabo gregem meum et non erit ultra in rapinam et iudicabo inter pecus et pecus

23 et suscitabo super ea pastorem unum qui pascat ea servum meum David ipse pascet ea et ipse erit eis in pastorem

24 ego autem Dominus ero eis in Deum et servus meus David princeps in medio eorum ego Dominus locutus sum

25 et faciam cum eis pactum pacis et cessare faciam bestias pessimas de terra et qui habitant in deserto securi dormient in saltibus

26 et ponam eos in circuitu collis mei benedictionem et deducam imbrem in tempore suo pluviae benedictionis erunt

27 et dabit lignum agri fructum suum et terra dabit germen suum et erunt in terra sua absque timore et scient quia ego Dominus cum contrivero catenas iugi eorum et eruero eos de manu imperantium sibi

28 et non erunt ultra in rapinam gentibus neque bestiae terrae devorabunt eos sed habitabunt confidenter absque ullo terrore

29 et suscitabo eis germen nominatum et non erunt ultra inminuti fame in terra neque portabunt amplius obprobria gentium

30 et scient quia ego Dominus Deus eorum cum eis et ipsi populus meus domus Israhel ait Dominus Deus

31 vos autem greges mei greges pascuae meae homines estis et ego Dominus Deus vester dicit Dominus Deus

Ezekiel 34 Commentary

Chapter 34

The rulers reproved. (1-6) The people are to be restored to their own land. (7-16) The kingdom of Christ. (17-31)

Verses 1-6 The people became as sheep without a shepherd, were given up as a prey to their enemies, and the land was utterly desolated. No rank or office can exempt from the reproofs of God's word, men who neglect their duty, and abuse the trust reposed in them.

Verses 7-16 The Lord declared that he intended mercy towards the scattered flock. Doubtless this, in the first place, had reference to the restoration of the Jews. It also represented the good Shepherd's tender care of the souls of his people. He finds them in their days of darkness and ignorance, and brings them to his fold. He comes to their relief in times of persecution and temptation. He leads them in the ways of righteousness, and causes them to rest on his love and faithfulness. The proud and self-sufficient, are enemies of the true gospel and of believers; against such we must guard. He has rest for disquieted saints, and terror for presumptuous sinners.

Verses 17-31 The whole nation seemed to be the Lord's flock, yet they were very different characters; but he knew how to distinguish between them. By good pastures and deep waters, are meant the pure word of God and the dispensing of justice. The latter verses, ( 23-31 ) , prophesy of Christ, and of the most glorious times of his church on earth. Under Him, as the good Shepherd, the church would be a blessing to all around. Christ, though excellent in himself, was as a tender plant out of a dry ground. Being the Tree of life, bearing all the fruits of salvation, he yields spiritual food to the souls of his people. Our constant desire and prayer should be, that there may be showers of blessings in every place where the truth of Christ is preached; and that all who profess the gospel may be filled with fruits of righteousness.

Chapter Summary

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.