Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezekiel
Book: Ezekiel
Chapter: 34
Overview:
The rulers reproved.
(1-6) The people are to be restored to
their own land.
(7-16) The kingdom of
Christ.
(17-31)
1-6 The 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 abuse the trust
reposed in them.
7-16 The
Lord declared that he intended
Mercy towards the
scattered flock. Doubtless this, in the first place, had
reference to the restoration of the Jews. It also represented
the good
Shepherd's tender care of the souls of his people. He
finds them in their days of
Darkness and ignorance, and brings
them to his
Fold. He comes to their relief in times of
Persecution and
Temptation. He leads them in the ways of
Righteousness, and causes them to
Rest On his
Love and
faithfulness. The proud and self-sufficient, are enemies of the
true
Gospel and of believers; against such we must
Guard. He has
Rest for disquieted saints, and terror for presumptuous sinners.
17-31 The whole nation seemed to be the
Lord's flock, yet they
were very different characters; but he knew how to distinguish
between them.
By good pastures and
Deep waters, are meant the
pure
Word of God and the dispensing of
Justice. The latter
verses, 23-31, prophesy of
Christ, and of the most glorious
times of his
Church On Earth. Under Him, as the good
Shepherd,
the
Church would be a blessing to all around.
Christ, though
excellent in himself, was as a tender plant out of a dry ground.
Being the
Tree of Life, bearing all the fruits of
Salvation, he
yields spiritual
Food to the souls of his people. Our constant
desire and
Prayer should be, that there may be showers of
blessings in every place where the
Truth of
Christ is preached;
and that all who profess the
Gospel may be filled with fruits of
Righteousness.