Chapter xxxiv.
This chapter contains the first great prophecy given to Ezekiel after
the fall of Jerusalem had been announced. It is a message of comfort and
concerns the glorious future of the nation in coming days, when the true
shepherd of Israel will appear in their midst. Here we find the majestic
"I will" of the Lord, that blessed word of the grace-covenant of a
sovereign God. It tells us what Jehovah in infinite mercy will do for
His scattered and bleeding people, His own flock, the people who are
still beloved for the fathers' sakes (Rom. xi:28). How He will gather His
scattered sheep, bring them back from their wanderings among the
nations, save them, feed them, heal and restore them, give them the true
shepherd and make a covenant of peace with His people is now blessedly
made known. We shall see that none of these gracious promises was
fulfilled in the return of the remnant from Babylon, nor have these
promises been accomplished since then. It all awaits the coming of their
Shepherd-King, the true David, the Lord Jesus Christ. The chapter begins
with a description of the sheep of Israel in their sad and deplorable
condition and an indictment of the false shepherds.