341 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying , 2 "Son of man , prophesy against the shepherds of Israel . Prophesy and say to those shepherds , 'Thus says the Lord GOD , "Woe , shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock ? 3 "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool , you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock . 4 "Those who are sickly you have not strengthened , the diseased you have not healed , the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back , nor have you sought for the lost ; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. 5 "They were scattered for lack of a shepherd , and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered . 6 "My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill ; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth , and there was no one to search or seek for them.""'
7 Therefore , you shepherds , hear the word of the Lord : 8 "As I live ," declares the Lord GOD , "surely e because My flock has become a prey , My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd , and My shepherds did not search for My flock , but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock ; 9 therefore , you shepherds , hear the word of the Lord : 10 'Thus says the Lord GOD , "Behold , I am against the shepherds , and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep . So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore , but I will deliver My flock from their mouth , so that they will not be food for them.""'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-10
Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-6
(Read Ezekiel 34:1-6)
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.
Commentary on Ezekiel 34:7-16
(Read Ezekiel 34:7-16)
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.