17 And as for you, O my flock, says the Lord, truly, I will be judge between sheep and sheep, the he-sheep and the he-goats. 18 Does it seem a small thing to you to have taken your food on good grass-land while the rest of your grass-land is stamped down under your feet? and that after drinking from clear waters you make the rest of the waters dirty with your feet? 19 And as for my sheep, their food is the grass which has been stamped on by your feet, and their drink the water which has been made dirty by your feet. 20 For this reason the Lord has said to them, Truly, I, even I, will be judge between the fat sheep and the thin sheep. 21 Because you have been pushing with side and leg, pushing the diseased with your horns till they were sent away in every direction; 22 I will make my flock safe, and they will no longer be taken away, and I will be judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will put over them one keeper, and he will give them food, even my servant David; he will give them food and be their keeper. 24 And I the Lord will be their God and my servant David their ruler; I the Lord have said it. 25 And I will make with them an agreement of peace, and will put an end to evil beasts through all the land: and they will be living safely in the waste land, sleeping in the woods. 26 And I will give the rain at the right time, and I will make the shower come down at the right time; there will be showers of blessing. 27 And the tree of the field will give its fruit and the earth will give its increase, and they will be safe in their land; and they will be certain that I am the Lord, when I have had their yoke broken and have given them salvation from the hands of those who made them servants. 28 And their goods will no longer be taken by the nations, and they will not again be food for the beasts of the earth; but they will be living safely and no one will be a cause of fear to them. 29 And I will give them planting-places of peace, and they will no longer be wasted from need of food or put to shame by the nations. 30 And they will be certain that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, the children of Israel, are my people, says the Lord. 31 And you are my sheep, the sheep of my grass-lands, and I am your God, says the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:17-31
Commentary on Ezekiel 34:17-31
(Read Ezekiel 34:17-31)
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.