17 And you, My flock, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am judging between sheep and sheep, Between rams and he-goats. 18 Is it a little thing for you—the good pasture ye enjoy, And the remnant of your pasture ye tread down with your feet, And a depth of waters ye do drink, And the remainder with your feet ye trample, 19 And My flock the trodden thing of your feet consumeth, And the trampled thing of your feet drinketh? 20 Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah to them: Lo, I—even I, have judged between fat sheep and lean sheep. 21 Because with side and with shoulder ye thrust away, And with your horns push all the diseased, Till ye have scattered them to the out-place, 22 And I have given safety to My flock, And they are not any more for prey, And I have judged between sheep and sheep. 23 And have raised up over them one shepherd, And he hath fed them—my servant David, He doth feed them, and he is their shepherd, 24 And I, Jehovah, I am their God, And My servant David prince in their midst, I, Jehovah, have spoken. 25 And I have made for them a covenant of peace, And caused evil beasts to cease out of the land, And they have dwelt in a wilderness confidently, And they have slept in forests. 26 And I have given them, and the suburbs of my hill, a blessing, And caused the shower to come down in its season, Showers of blessing they are. 27 And given hath the tree of the field its fruit, And the land doth give her increase, And they have been on their land confident, And they have known that I 'am' Jehovah, In My breaking the bands of their yoke, And I have delivered them from the hand of those laying service on them. 28 And they are no more a prey to nations, And the beast of the earth devoureth them not, And they have dwelt confidently, And there is none troubling. 29 And I have raised for them a plant for renown, And they are no more consumed by hunger in the land, And they bear no more the shame of the nations. 30 And they have known that I, Jehovah, their God, 'am' with them, And they—the house of Israel—My people, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah. 31 And ye, My flock, the flock of My pasture, Men ye 'are'—I 'am' your God, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah!'
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.