The Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Shepherds denounced.

I. THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. Ezekiel now turns from the people to their leaders. Theirs is the greatest guilt. They were placed in positions which led to much being expected of them. Their failure means a corresponding guilt. The princes and priests, the political leaders and the religious teachers, would be included under the designation "shepherds." The same two classes and other varieties may be seen today; i.e. political rulers, Christian ministers, leaders of public movements, public writers; all who influence others in thought and life are like Israel's shepherds. Note the grounds of the great responsibility of such people.

1. Privilege. The shepherds have the honor of being set over the flock. Position is a privilege; it brings a responsibility.

2. Power.

II. THEIR WICKEDNESS.

1. Positive wrong-doing.

2. Negative negligence. Looking after themselves, the wicked shepherds neglect their flock.

III. THEIR DOOM.

1. God's opposition. "Behold, I am against the shepherds." They may be stronger than the sheep, but God is stronger than they are. Faithlessness in office provokes God's great wrath.

2. Hopeless requirements. "I will require my flock at their hand." But it is lost!

3. Loss of office. The bad shepherds are dismissed. The unfaithful servant is deprived of his talent (Matthew 25:28). Disgrace, dismissal, ruin, are the punishments of unfaithful service.

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Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 34:1-6Ezekiel 34:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe people became as sheep without a shepherd, were given up as a prey to their enemies, and the land was utterly desolated. No rank or office can exempt from the reproofs of God's word, men who neglect their duty, and…The Shepherds Reproved. (b. c. 587.)Ezekiel 34:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE SHEPHERDS REPROVED. (B. C. 587.) The prophecy of this chapter is not dated, nor any of those that follow it, till Ezekiel 40:1-49 It is most probable that it was delivered after the completing of Jerusalem's destruc…The Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-31Ezekiel 34:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1Ezekiel 34:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd the word of the Lord, etc. As no date is given, we may infer that what follows came as an almost immediate sequel to that which precedes it. The kernel of the chapter is found in the Messianic prophecies of Ezekiel…The Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-10Ezekiel 34:1-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe human shepherds of the flock. It is a comparison as old, yes, older than literature, this of the people to a flock of sheep, and of their rulers, leaders, and spiritual instructors to the shepherds whose vocation it…The Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-16Ezekiel 34:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod's verdict upon self-serving rulers. The disasters that overtook the land and the people of Israel were largely due to the misdeeds of their rulers. The people in olden time were more easily led by their sovereign th…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Ezekiel 34:1-6The people became as sheep without a shepherd, were given up as a prey to their enemies, and the land was utterly desolated. No rank or office can exempt from the reproofs of God's word, men who neglect their duty, and…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Shepherds Reproved. (b. c. 587.)THE SHEPHERDS REPROVED. (B. C. 587.) The prophecy of this chapter is not dated, nor any of those that follow it, till Ezekiel 40:1-49 It is most probable that it was delivered after the completing of Jerusalem's destruc…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-10The human shepherds of the flock. It is a comparison as old, yes, older than literature, this of the people to a flock of sheep, and of their rulers, leaders, and spiritual instructors to the shepherds whose vocation it…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-16God's verdict upon self-serving rulers. The disasters that overtook the land and the people of Israel were largely due to the misdeeds of their rulers. The people in olden time were more easily led by their sovereign th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-31XPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1And the word of the Lord, etc. As no date is given, we may infer that what follows came as an almost immediate sequel to that which precedes it. The kernel of the chapter is found in the Messianic prophecies of Ezekiel…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1-10The use and the abuse of office. It is generally agreed that by the shepherd of the text we are to understand primarily the king and princes of Israel, who should have guarded and nourished the people of Israel with the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezekiel 34:2Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, etc. Our modern associations with the words, our use of terms like" the pastoral office," "the pastoral Epistles," lead us to think of the priests and prophets, the spiritual gu…Joseph S. Exell and contributors