John Wesley Commentary on Ezekiel Chapter 34

Ezekiel, Chapter 34 A charge against the shepherds of Israel, ver. 1 - 6. Their dismission from their trust, ver. 7 - 10. A promise, that God would take care of his flock, ver. 11 - 16. Another charge against the strong of the flock, for their injuring the weak, ver. 17 - 22. A promise of the Messiah, the great and good shepherd, ver. 23 - 31.

2: The shepherds - The rulers of the people kings, magistrates, and princes; as also priests, and prophets. Of Israel - The two tribes, and the few out of the ten that adhere to the house of David. That feed - Contrive their own ease, advantage, and honour.

3: Ye kill - You contrive methods, to take first the life, and next the estate of the well - fed, the rich and wealthy. But - You take care to lead, protect, provide for, and watch over them.

4: The diseased - The weak and languishing. Bound up - Oppressors in the state, or church, broke many then, but these shepherds bound them not up.

5: No shepherd - No vigilant, faithful shepherd. Became meat - Were made a prey of, and devoured by all their neighbours.

12: In the cloudy and dark day - In the time of general distress.

16: The fat - The powerful and rich. I will feed - I will judge and punish them.

17: I judge - Between men and men, between the smaller and weaker, and the greater and stronger, as their different state requires I will do. The rams - Rulers, who also shalt be dealt with according to their behaviour.

18: But ye must tread down - You great ones, eat the fat, and sweet; and what you cannot eat, you waste and spoil. The deep waters - Which are sufficient for all.

20: I will judge - I will vindicate the poor. The fat cattle - The rich. The lean - The poor.

23: One shepherd - Christ, the great good, chief, only shepherd, that laid down his life for his sheep. My servant David - The seed of David, the beloved one, who was typified by David, and is in other places called by his name, as (Jer 30:9,Eze 37:24,Isa 37:35,Ho 3:5). He shall feed - Do all the office of a good and faithful shepherd, and that for ever.

24: My servant - Christ was in this great work his fathers servant,(Isa 42:1).

25: A covenant - A covenant of promises, which contain, and shall bring peace, that is all good.

26: Them - My returned captives, The places - All the country. My hill - Jerusalem.

29: A plant - The Messiah. The shame - The reproach.

30: Their God - By covenant, from their forefathers. Am with them - Present with them, and reconciled to them.

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