This is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.' This is what the Lord GOD saysThis phrase underscores the divine authority and solemnity of the message. The Hebrew term for "Lord GOD" is "Adonai Yahweh," emphasizing God's sovereign rule and covenantal faithfulness. In the context of Ezekiel, this introduction serves as a reminder that the words are not merely prophetic utterances but carry the weight of divine decree, demanding attention and reverence. Behold, I am against the shepherds
The word "Behold" is a call to attention, urging the audience to listen carefully. The "shepherds" symbolize the leaders of Israel, who were entrusted with the care of God's people. Historically, shepherds were vital in agrarian societies, responsible for the safety and well-being of their flocks. Here, God declares His opposition to these leaders, highlighting their failure to fulfill their duties. The imagery of God being "against" them conveys a strong sense of divine judgment and impending action. and I will demand My flock from them
The phrase "demand My flock" indicates God's rightful ownership and concern for His people. The Hebrew root for "demand" suggests a legal or formal reclamation, as if God is taking back what is rightfully His. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God is the ultimate shepherd and protector of His people. and remove them from tending the flock
To "remove" the shepherds signifies a decisive action by God to strip them of their authority and responsibility. This removal is not just a punishment but a necessary step to protect the flock from further harm. The historical context reveals that the leaders had become corrupt, neglecting their duties and exploiting the people, necessitating divine intervention. so that they can no longer feed themselves
This phrase highlights the selfishness of the leaders, who were more concerned with their own gain than the welfare of the flock. The imagery of "feeding themselves" suggests that they were using their positions for personal enrichment. God's judgment ensures that their exploitation will cease, reflecting His justice and care for the oppressed. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths
The word "deliver" conveys a sense of rescue and salvation. God promises to save His people from the destructive influence of the corrupt leaders. The imagery of "from their mouths" suggests that the leaders were devouring the flock, consuming them for their own benefit. This deliverance is an act of divine mercy and protection. and it will no longer be food for them
This final phrase reinforces the idea that the exploitation will end. The flock, representing the people of Israel, will no longer be preyed upon by their leaders. This promise of protection and provision reflects God's unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring their safety and well-being under His care. The verse as a whole serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice, mercy, and sovereignty, offering hope and assurance to those who trust in Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Lord GODThe sovereign and divine authority who speaks against the shepherds, representing His ultimate power and judgment. 2. ShepherdsSymbolic of the leaders of Israel, such as kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding and caring for the people but failed in their duties. 3. The FlockRepresents the people of Israel, who were supposed to be cared for and protected by their leaders. 4. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, often depicted as a flock in need of guidance and protection. 5. JudgmentThe event where God declares His intention to hold the leaders accountable and to rescue His people from their neglect. Teaching Points Accountability of LeadersGod holds leaders accountable for their actions, especially when they neglect their responsibilities. Leaders today must remember their duty to serve and protect those under their care. God's Protection and DeliveranceGod promises to deliver His people from those who exploit them. Believers can trust in God's protection and His ability to rescue them from harmful situations. The Role of a ShepherdTrue shepherds are selfless and prioritize the well-being of their flock. Christians are called to emulate the Good Shepherd, Jesus, in their care for others. Divine JusticeGod's justice ensures that wrongdoing does not go unpunished. This serves as a reminder of the importance of righteousness and integrity in leadership. Hope for the OppressedThose who feel neglected or oppressed can find hope in God's promise to intervene and provide for their needs. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the shepherd in Ezekiel 34:10 compare to the role of leaders in the church today? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not neglecting our responsibilities to those we are called to lead or care for? 3. How does the imagery of God as a shepherd provide comfort and assurance in times of difficulty? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to emulate the Good Shepherd in our daily lives? 5. How can we apply the lessons of divine justice and accountability in our personal and professional relationships? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 23:1-4This passage also speaks against the shepherds of Israel, highlighting God's promise to gather His scattered flock and appoint faithful shepherds over them. John 10:11-15Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, contrasting His care and sacrifice for the sheep with the neglectful shepherds of Israel. Psalm 23This psalm portrays the Lord as the ultimate Shepherd, providing and caring for His people, offering a positive contrast to the failed human shepherds. People David, EzekielPlaces JerusalemTopics Accountable, Anymore, Behold, Cause, Caused, Cease, Deliver, Delivered, Demand, Feed, Feeding, Flock, Hold, Keepers, Longer, Meat, Mouth, Mouths, Remove, Require, Required, Rescue, Says, Search, Sheep, Shepherds, Stop, Tending, Themselves, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 34:1-10 7786 shepherd, king and leader
9250 woe Ezekiel 34:7-10 1431 prophecy, OT methods Ezekiel 34:7-24 7130 flock, God's Library The Church of Christ
This, then, is the meaning of the text; that God would make Jerusalem and the places round about his hill a blessing. I shall not, however, use it so this morning, but I shall use it in a more confined sense--or, perhaps, in a more enlarged sense--as it applies to the church of Jesus Christ, and to this particular church with which you and I stand connected. "I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855That None Should Enter on a Place of Government who Practise not in Life what they have Learnt by Study.
There are some also who investigate spiritual precepts with cunning care, but what they penetrate with their understanding they trample on in their lives: all at once they teach the things which not by practice but by study they have learnt; and what in words they preach by their manners they impugn. Whence it comes to pass that when the shepherd walks through steep places, the flock follows to the precipice. Hence it is that the Lord through the prophet complains of the contemptible knowledge …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the Feast of Tabernacles.
The closing words which Jesus had spoken to those Pharisees who followed HIm breathe the sadness of expected near judgment, rather than the hopefulness of expostulation. And the Discourse which followed, ere He once more left Jerusalem, is of the same character. It seems, as if Jesus could not part from the City in holy anger, but ever, and only, with tears. All the topics of the former Discourses are now resumed and applied. They are not in any way softened or modified, but uttered in accents of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants How to Make Use of Christ as the Life when the Soul is Dead as to Duty.
Sometimes the believer will be under such a distemper, as that he will be as unfit and unable for discharging of any commanded duty, as dead men, or one in a swoon, is to work or go a journey. And it were good to know how Christ should be made use of as the Life, to the end the diseased soul may be delivered from this. For this cause we shall consider those four things: 1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper. 2. Consider whence it cometh, or what are the causes or occasions …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! T he Kingdom of our Lord in the heart, and in the world, is frequently compared to a building or house, of which He Himself is both the Foundation and the Architect (Isaiah 28:16 and 54:11, 12) . A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present appearance, form an accurate judgment …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good Livers, But, through the Zeal of Righteousness, Rigid against the vices of Evildoers.
The ruler should be, through humility, a companion of good livers, and, through the zeal of righteousness, rigid against the vices of evil-doers; so that in nothing he prefer himself to the good, and yet, when the fault of the bad requires it, he be at once conscious of the power of his priority; to the end that, while among his subordinates who live well he waives his rank and accounts them as his equals, he may not fear to execute the laws of rectitude towards the perverse. For, as I remember to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, we see …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, Spring a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 35-51. ^d 35 Again on the morrow [John's direct testimony bore fruit on the second day] John was standing, and two of his disciples [An audience of two. A small field; but a large harvest]; 36 and he looked [Gazed intently. The word is used at Mark xiv. 67; Luke xxii. 61 Mark x. 21, 27. John looked searchingly at that face, which, so far as any record shows, he was never to see on earth again. The more intently we look upon Jesus, the more powerfully …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision B. Parable of the Lost Sheep. ^C Luke XV. 3-7. ^c 3 And he spake unto them this parable [Jesus had spoken this parable before. See pp. 434, 435.] saying, 4 What man of you [man is emphatic; it is made so to convey the meaning that if man would so act, how much more would God so act], having an hundred sheep [a large flock], and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness [the place of pasture, and hence the proper place to leave …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezekiel 34:10 NIVEzekiel 34:10 NLTEzekiel 34:10 ESVEzekiel 34:10 NASBEzekiel 34:10 KJV
Ezekiel 34:10 Commentaries
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