Ezekiel 34
Ezekiel 34 presents a prophetic message from God condemning the leaders, or "shepherds," of Israel for neglecting their responsibilities toward the people. Instead of caring for the people, these leaders exploited them, leading to the nation’s suffering and scattering. God, through Ezekiel, rebukes these shepherds and declares His intention to personally gather and care for His people, ultimately promising a restoration of Israel under a new, righteous shepherd.
Ezekiel 34:1-10 (NKJV)
1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.
4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”
7 ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:
8 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”—
9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!
10 Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”
God rebukes the leaders of Israel, metaphorically called “shepherds,” for exploiting the people for personal gain. Instead of nurturing the weak, healing the sick, or bringing back those who strayed, they ruled with cruelty. As a result, the people were scattered and vulnerable. God, angered by this neglect, vows to hold these leaders accountable, remove them from their positions, and protect His flock from further harm.
Ezekiel 34:11-16 (NKJV)
11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.
13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.
15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God.
16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.”
God declares that He will personally seek out and care for His scattered people, taking on the role of a true shepherd. Unlike the corrupt leaders, God promises to restore, nurture, and protect His flock, ensuring they are fed and safe. He will heal the broken and strengthen the weak, while also bringing justice upon those who abused their power.
Ezekiel 34:17-22 (NKJV)
17 ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats.
18 Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet?
19 And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.”
20 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.
21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad,
22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
God turns His attention to the people, recognizing the injustice among them. Some among the flock have exploited others, pushing the weak aside to satisfy their own desires. God will judge between these individuals, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly. This judgment aims to stop the oppression within the community and promises that His flock will no longer be vulnerable to such injustices.
Ezekiel 34:23-24 (NKJV)
23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.
24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.
God promises to appoint a new, righteous shepherd from the line of David to lead the people. This prophecy points toward a future leader, symbolized by “David,” who will faithfully care for and guide the flock. Through this leader, the people will experience a restored relationship with God, who will reign as their Lord.
Ezekiel 34:25-31 (NKJV)
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.
27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them.
28 And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.
29 I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore.
30 Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’”
31 “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.
God’s promise of a covenant of peace ensures a secure and abundant future for His people, free from fear and oppression. He will bless the land, provide for His people, and protect them from harm. The covenant signifies a restored relationship between God and Israel, where the people will know that they belong to God and are under His care. This vision of peace and provision reflects God’s enduring commitment to His people.