Ezekiel Chapter 34

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net

Introduction: Last week we studied about Ezekiel being called to be a watchman to Israel and to vindicate God’s justice. This chapter starts with a rebuke to the unfaithful leaders of Israel in verses 1-10. The focus then becomes eschatological, looking forward to the restoration of the nation in verses 11-16. Finally, the restoration of the throne of David in millennial Israel is foretold in verses 17-31.

I. Prophecy to Israel's Shepherds

Eze 34:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Eze 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

God here directs the prophet to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. The thought clearly is a figure of speech— a metaphor or parable. The shepherds of Israel were the leaders thereof, whether spiritual, political, or royal. These, no doubt, included their political governors, kings, princes, civil magistrates of every degree as well as priests.

God issued a malediction against the leaders of the nation. The flock clearly is a metaphor of the greater nation. The leaders thereof did not help the people, but rather abused and took advantage of them, all the while benefiting at their expense. In short, the leadership in Israel was corrupt and greedy.

Eze 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

Eze 34:4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The upper class of Israel stole from the poor of the land and even dealt violently against them. The word translated as feed (her ra‘ah) in its most basic sense means to ‘shepherd,’ ‘tend,’ or ‘pastor.’

Rather than properly leading the nation, the upper class thereof ‘ripped it off.’ They increased their ‘portfolio’ at the expense of the common people. Not only was the upper class of Israel corrupt and greedy, they also had become cruel. There was no compassion for their servants or employees. They had become utterly selfish, cold- hearted, and cruel.

Eze 34:5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

Eze 34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Though allegorical, the greater thought is that the nation of Israel was being scattered (i.e., dispersed) and devoured across the face of the earth. The nation of Israel, from the time of Sennacherib to the present, have wandered across the face of the earth seeking refuge. Through the course of history, most nations have been hostile to the Jews with the notable exception of the United States and a few others.

The Jewish diaspora continues to this present hour. God laid the blame in considerable measure upon the leadership of the nation. They were the particular target of His indignation.

Eze 34:7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;

Eze 34:8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;

Eze 34:9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;

Eze 34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

As Ezekiel thundered against the corruption of Israel, he delivered further warning from Jehovah God. Jehovah summarizes the charges He made above. Because of the greed, corruption, and cold hearts of the leadership of Israel toward their own people, God announced He would work against them. Lest there be any question as to the source of the pronouncement to be made, God reiterated it was His word and to hearken thereto.

Though referring to Israel throughout this section, the primary target was the Judah and its corrupt leadership still in Jerusalem. God warned the ruling classes of Jerusalem and Judah that He would hold them personally responsible for the destruction of His people. The leadership of Judah would no longer profit from the extortion of God’s people. God was about to remove the remnant of Israel (i.e., Judah) from their grasp and free them therefrom. Though in captivity, no longer would Jews be so oppressed by their own leaders.