This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. Bible commentary on the book of ezekiel, chapter 34, by dr. These doubts were strong enough, in those early days, to raise the question of whether ezekiel should be one of the biblical books. The book of ezekiel, chapters 2548 new international. A commentary on the book of ezekiel southside christian. It is in the form of a story about shepherds and sheep. The first part of the book, up to chapter 32 inclusive, announces gods judgments against both the people of israel and the idolatrous nations.
No rank or office can exempt from the reproofs of gods word, men who neglect their duty, and abuse the trust reposed in them. The prophet is commanded to declare the dreadful judgments of god against the covetous shepherds of israel, who feed themselves, and not their flocks. He will not be a typical ancient near eastern monarch, but gods servant who presides over the kingdom that god rules. Watch our overview video on the second part of the book of ezekiel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. George barlow, the preachers complete homiletic commentary new york. Doughty southside christian church december 2014 introduction. Woe to you shepherds of israel who only take care of yourselves. Ezekiel 34 is addressed to those people of god who have been living in exile in babylon. Spiritual blessings, the blessings peculiar to the messiahs kingdom, are chiefly intended. The book of ezekiel would have been hidden away nignaz sefer yehezkel.
Ezekiel 34 commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The result of twelve years of studying this difficult section of scripture, this volume, like the one on chapters 124, provides an excellent discussion of the background of ezekiel and offers a versebyverse exposition that makes clear the message of this obscure and often misunderstood prophet. Jesus uses the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep to explain himself and believers. Woe to the shepherds of israel who have been pasturing themselves. Ezekiel 34 ellicotts commentary for english readers bible hub. Bible questions with michael pearl episode 061 duration. This commentary adheres to a literal interpretation of the scriptures, a belief that god is not yet finished with the nation of israel, a belief in a literal return of christ to literally reign and rule on the earth for years.
Talking the talk was followed far more frequently than walking the walk. Meaning those false ones who fleeced the flock for personal gain verses 34, rather than fed or led righteously. If for no other reason, the book of ezekiel merits careful study so. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as i was among the captives by the river chebar, that the heavens were opened and i saw visions of god a. Ezekiel chapters 25 to 39 free bible commentary in easy english. Without ambiguity, jesus took that title to himself most clearly in john 10.
Ezekiel 34 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. Ezekiel 34 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. Israels failure of leadership ezekiel 34 bible commentary. Rather than helping, healing, and leading, government was often administered with force and cruelty. His name means strengthened by god, which, indeed, he was for the propheti. Without doubt, ezekiel 34 presents yahweh as the good and perfect shepherd of israel. Read ezekiel 34 commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Ezekiel 34 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary.
The father william most collection commentary on ezekiel. Preached at providence chapel, london, august 10th, 1851 by j. Study the bible online using commentary on ezekiel 34 and more. As shown in the associated timeline for this page, ezekiel 34 timeline, with the birth of the nation of israel was the beginning of the return of the jews back. After a short prologue in which ezekiel describes how god called him, he uses a series of symbols to predict the now inevitable destruction of jerusalem and identify its. Now in this chapter the shepherds of israel, their rulers both in church and state, are called to an account, as having been very much accessory to the sin and ruin of israel, by their neglecting to do the duty of their place. Ezekiels in babylon, having been exiled there after the first siege of judah by the babylonians. Ezekiel 34 the lord will be israels shepherd bible. From this chapter on, ezekiels messages are mostly comforting, telling of gods grace and faithfulness to his covenant promises. And i will raise up for them a plant of renown the messiah, the branch from the root of david, so frequently foretold by the prophet. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered on the day of clouds and darkness.
Ezekiel 34 the lord will be israels shepherd bible gateway. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy english. Look, i myself shall take care of my flock and look after it 12 as a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so shall i look after my sheep. John skinner in the expositors bible commentary, p. Prophesy against the shepherds of israel the word shepherd, in the prophetical writings, comprehends both civil and ecclesiastical governors. The passage is found in the book bearing the name of the prophet ezekiel, chapter 34. In the last chapters of his book, he tells of yahweh blessing israel chapter. Ezekiel 34 new international version niv the lord will be israels shepherd. Ezekiel 34 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. Ezekiel 34 uses the metaphor of shepherding to illustrate how israels leaders shepherds oppressed the people flock within gods kingdom. Ezekiel 34 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Ezekiel turns from the people, to their leaders who have the greatest guilt. In this chapter, ezekiel prophecies against the irresponsible shepherds of israel and states that god will instead seek out gods sheep and become. Ezekiel s in babylon, having been exiled there after the first siege of judah by the babylonians.
In the first 11 verses, god uses the prophet to chastize the leaders of the nation for failing to lead the people rightly in their walk with jehovah god. He was declaring to those discerning jews that he was the true and righteous shepherd of whom ezekiel spokethe messiah. He would lay down his life for the sheep, not exploit them. This david as gods servant has a certain latitude in the fulfillment of his responsibilities. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Ezekiel condemns the ministry as a whole for being more concerned for self and paycheck than for the sheep, the members of the church. Title the book has always been named for its author, ezekiel 1. Ezekiel 34 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. And they shall be no more consumed with hunger but shall be blessed with plenty of all things. Ah, shepherds of israel who have been feeding yourselves. Disaster is in store for the shepherds of israel who feed themselves.
Library the father william most theological collection. Ezekiel 34 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. Yet it means that when difficult choices are made, they will be made and carried out. The scriptural record chronicles that an occasional noah, abraham, joseph, moses, joshua, david, or another good leader arose among them, but ezekiel 34 succinctly summarizes judahs leadership, in particular, as shepherds who ruled for their own wellbeing rather than the citizens. Ezekiel 34 is the thirtyfourth chapter of the book of ezekiel in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. The jewish people experienced two major exiles, the assyrian exile and the babylonian exile. The prophet assures his audience, the exiles in babylon, that god holds these leaders responsible for what has happened to jerusalem and will give israel a new shepherd worthy of the title. Ezekiel 34, new living translation nlt the bible app. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of ezekiel. The term was appropriate, as david, the first king and the type of the true david ezekiel 34. A commentary on the book of ezekiel by pastor galen l. It certainly appears that he had ezekiel 34 in mind. After a short prologue in which ezekiel describes how god called him, he uses a series of symbols to predict the now inevitable destruction of jerusalem and identify its causes. By good pastures and deep waters, are meant the pure word of god and the dispensing of justice.
The babylonian exilethe exile in which ezekiel was involvedcame in two waves, the. You shepherds of israel have only been feeding yourselves. These passages illustrate the levitical priesthood failing in the mission given them by god to instruct the nation of israel on the statutes of the lord as given to moses, leviticus 10. This work completes daniel blocks twovolume commentary on the book of ezekiel. Israels leaders are indicted for their failure to care for the nation. A promise, that god would take care of his flock, ver.
Ezekiels oracle broadens the reference to include the whole class of jerusalems leaders v. Ezekiel chapters 1 to 24 free bible commentary in easy. The shepherds looked only to their own interests by clothing and feeding themselves at the expense of the needs of the flock ezek. Ezekiel chapters 25 to 39 free bible commentary in easy. I am expanding the lectionary text to include verses 110 which is. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophetpriest ezekiel, and is one of the books of the prophets. Godly leadership existed in short supply throughout most of israels relationship with god. The rabbis were greatly troubled by the fact that the book of ezekiel gives certain laws, chiefly as to the temple procedures, which actually contradict the laws given in the book of leviticus. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of israel. I am expanding the lectionary text to include verses 110 which is essential for understanding what follows. Study ezekiel 34 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
But ezekiel 34 implies that the worker who produces an economic loss or the manager who fails to get the team to accomplish the job is no better than those who. Those that have a constant hatred to god and his people, as the carnal mind has, can only expect to be made desolate for ever. The book of ezekiel has always been a problem book. Ezekiel 34 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. Ezekiel 34 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. The iniquities and calamities of gods israel had been largely and pathetically lamented before, in this book. The babylonian exilethe exile in which ezekiel was involvedcame in two waves, the first beginning in 597 b. The latter part of the book of ezekiel, after the fulfilment of the great judgment in the destruction of jerusalem, is consolatory in its character, and full of. Ezekiel 34 english standard version esv prophecy against the shepherds of israel. Ezekiel or jesus never meant that faithful shepherds will please everyone. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in ezekiels prophecy. Following will be brief comments on psalm 95 and matthew 25, other texts for the day.
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