And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.
Ezekiel 34:23-24 (ESV)
Much of Ezekiel is forecasting doom for Israel and the surrounding nations. But there are bright spots. Chapter 34 opens by pronouncing judgment on Israel’s shepherds who are feeding themselves at the expense of the sheep under their care. The sheep are the common people, while their shepherds are those who are in positions of power and authority.
But starting in verse eleven and on to the end of the chapter, God tells them that He will be their shepherd. He will gather His scattered flock. And He will feed and care for them (Ezek. 34:11-15).
The flock belongs to God. And here in Ezekiel 34:23-24, He promises to set up over them a shepherd. God identifies that shepherd as David. God is not saying here that He will bring David back to life to shepherd His people. Instead, He is referring to one who was of the line and lineage of David, who would rule over His people, the Messiah.
Jesus is that shepherd, appointed to care for God’s flock. He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). And he feeds and cares for His flock (John 10:9-10).
But God’s flock is bigger than just ethnic Israel. Jesus said that He had sheep from other pens (the Gentiles) who would listen to His voice. And all who listened to Him would together become one flock (John 10:16).
That raises a question, though. Should Ezekiel 34 be understood as referring only to ethnic Israel? Or is it broader in scope, referring to the one flock of John 10:16? My answer to that will be in an upcoming post.
