Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 34

2 Son of man, prophesie against the shepherds of Israel , prophesie and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds ; Wo be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves: should not the shepherds feed the flocks ?

The rulers of the people, both Political, as Kings, Magistrates, and Princes, as also Ecclesiastical, Priests, and Prophets.

The two Tribes and the few, that out of the ten did adhere to the house of David.

The command is repeated to encourage, and engage the Prophet to his work.

Ezekiel speaks, but these Rulers must know 'tis God that speaks by him.

They have been principal causes of many sins, and exemplary actors in other sins, for which many woes were threatned, many already are come and the rest will come, in which woes these Rulers shall have more then ordinary share.

Contrive their own ease, advantage, honour, and ambitious projects.

Let the consciences of these Rulers Ecclesiastical and Political speak, ought they not as Shepherds take care of the Sheep committed to their care?

The Sheep, both whole Flocks and the single Sheep, whole societies, and particular members of them.

Marginal references: Jer. 23.1, 11.

3 Ye eat the fat , and ye clothe you with the wool , ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock.

Rather the milk which insatiably, and without measure you devour: you exhaust their purses, and weaken their Estates by Tributes, exacted by extortions, so the Temporal Rulers, and the Spiritual Rulers had their methods, and arts to milk them dry, these lived on the sins of the people.

With best and finest, as best suiting with your pride, and luxury, on which you force the people to bestow so much, they have not to clothe themselves and theirs, this was mighty oppression.

Contrive methods for a seeming legal course to forfeit, first the Life, and next the Estate of the well fed, the rich and wealthy and then make merry and Feast, as voluptuous unfaithful shepherds feast on the fattest of the Sheep in their masters sold.

Take no care to lead, protect, provide for, and watch over them, but as idle shepheards, feasted with the fattest, let the rest starve for any thing they care.

Marginal references: Zech. 11.16.

4 The diseased have ye not strengthened , neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost ; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

The weak and languishing, such there are in the Church, and State.

With your hand, countenance and counsel, so these Metaphorical shepheards should as the other strengthen their sheep, with carrying them into good and quiet pastures.

The sheep in our Pastures are subject to many sicknesses, the sheep in Church and State to more, and Shepheards in both should be as Physicians to heal them, but here these did not so.

Sometime violent and ravenous beasts break their bones, sometimes the stronger and fatter sheep bruise or break them, these should the shepheards bind up, violent oppressours in the State, and such in Church broke many then, but these shepheards bound them not up.

Sheep wander, and lose themselves, shepheards should seek such and bring them home, many political sheep among the Jews wandered from their Countrey, their King, Religion and God, and these careless Rulers never sought them.

With hard hand that held fast all, that should look like royal power and priviledge, and rigorously executed all their grievous Laws, and Edicts.

Such as the Egyptians used toward the Jews, Exod. 1.13, 14. instead of acting like shepheards, these Tyrants in the Jewish Polity, acted like merciless butchers in Church and State.

Sheep are often driven out of the pasture, frighted, hunted, and pursued by Dogs, or other mischievous Creatures, these the Shepheard should find our, and bring back in Church and State, there were many such frighted and driven by fierce men like Dogs running upon them, but the Jewish Rulers took no care to enquire for them, or to bring them back to their own Countrey.

Marginal references: 1 Pet. 9.3.

5 And they were scattered , because there is no shepherd : and they became meat to all the beasts of the field when they were scattered .

My neglected Sheep.

By the inroads, and invasions of their Enemies, that broke in like devouring Beasts.

No vigilant, faithful good shepherd that loved the Flock, and of love studied its welfare.

Were made a prey of, and devoured by Syrians, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, &c. all their Neighbours might then devour them.

Signifie men, troops of Robbers, and spoilers.

As sheep scattered are easily devoured by every hungry Wolf or Fox.

Marginal references: Or, without a shepherd, so v. 8.

6 My sheep wandred through all the mountains , and upon every high hill : yea my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

These shepherds forgot, the flock was not their propriety, but God will not lose his propriety in them, nor shall shepherds find at last they were more then Gods stewards and accountable.

When endangered, afrighted, pursued they got upon the Mountains by their own choice, or carried away by Enemies, or it may refer to their wandring after Idols Worshipped in High places, or perhaps to Kingdoms and States and great Cities, compared to Mountains, that there they might find what they could not at home, quiet and safety.

The same thing in like words.

They were if any among the Jews could be called so, my flock, that were so used, not the Swine, and Goats and unclean Beasts, that by whole Herds rested undisturbed, 'twas Bar[illegible: 1 letter]ch and Ieremiah were fain to hide.

They were dispersed through male-administration to all parts of the known World; 'tis an Hyperbole that speaks a mighty scattering.

The shepherds were contented nay glad they were rid of them, neither principal Officers searcht, nor inferior sought after them.

7 ¶ Therefore ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD.

The Rulers, King of Israel, Princes, High Priest and Priests and pretended Prophets, hear ye; God speaks in the stile and manner of one greatly incensed.

8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves , and feed not my flock:

See ver. 5. let. a. b.

Ibid. let. z

Government and Governours are by Gods appointment, and here he owns the careless, worst of Rulers as his shepherds.

Verse 6. let. h.

Verse 2. let. f.

Vid. ver. 3. let. p.

9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;

Vid. verse 7. tot.

10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I am against the shepherds : and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more: for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

To Zedekiah his Princes, the Priests, and Prophets, all the ruling part in Ierusalem.

I will require both account first, and next by severe punishing, as Zedekiah his Children, &c. found.

Turn them out of my service, that honourable employment, so was the King and Princes of Iudah turned out of all by the King of Babylon by whom God made good this his word.

Their profit ceased with the ceasing of their Authority, and they could no more milk, fleece or slay the flock, when 'twas taken out of their hand.

They should have delivered them out of the hands of violence, since they did not I will deliver, save and rescue this flock which is mine.

This speaks that these Shepherds had been Lions or Bears, or Wolves more then Shepherds, and therefore out of their mouths not hands God will deliver.

So the flock shall no more be devoured by them.

Marginal references: They have provokt me to displeasure to be their Enemy, and I will appear, and act so, they are Enemies to my sheep, yet pretended to be shepherds, I will be an open Enemy to them.

11 ¶ For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I , will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

The construction is emphatical in the Heb. and well exprest here, I the owner, the lover, the maker, the great shepherd, even I, who committed them to your care, never submitted them to your rapine and cruelty, who am as angry with you for devouring them, as I am zealous for their welfare▪

Will demand them of you, I know how many I delivered to your keeping, and I expect an account of so many again, I will see in what state, and condition they are too.

Vide ver. 5. let. s. and ver. 6. let. h. under your hand many are, but under my hand, not one shall be lost.

12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among the sheep that are scattered ; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places, where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

He doth gently gather them together, counteth them, brings them to the fold, views what they have suffered, whether lame or torn and binds up, and healeth; if any are wanting, he looks till he findeth them, and does bring them back, so will I, saith the Lord, if the shepherd find the Wolf, or Lion among them or near them, he will either kill or drive him away, so will God if under-servants have been careless, they shall be warned or turned away, So here, &c,

They are wronged in all places where they ware scattered, the places in which they are, and should not be, are part of that danger, I will free them from.

When the storm first began to arise from abroad or at home here in persecutions, there in warlike preparations.

That the Land was invaded till the desolation of Ierusalem, the times of male administration of their own Governours, and violent irruption of their Enemies.

Marginal references: Heb. according to the seeking.

13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers , and in all the inhabited places of the countrey.

When Cyrus Proclamation came forth that the Iewes might return, this prophesie was literally fulfilled, God did incline the minds of the Iews to retire from the people, amidst whom they had dwelt seventy years, Vid. Ezra 1.5, 6. and 7.13.

Assemble them together, so they did in a place appointed without the Countrey, where they were, (as appears, Ezra 8.15.) in their assembling at Ahava or Diava near where it falls into Euphrates in the Countrey Adiaben[illegible: 1 letter] which was from the more inward recesses of the Babylonian Kingdom, onwards of their Journey to Ierusalem.

Lead, conduct and as a shepherd go before them, till I have put them into possession again of their own Land.

Canaan ▪ their own by grant from the Crown of Heaven, antiently possessed by their Fathers, and out of which violence cast them.

God will provide maintain and nourish them.

Places proper for sheep, where now they shall once more be kept.

Water brooks, as Psal. 42.1. which run down from the spring heads in the sides, and tops of the Mountains, with some impetuousness and noise, or if greater Rivers they are those that run by the foot of the Mountains, on which these sheep shall feed.

This may explain the former, on such hills by Rivers the returned Captives would first settle their habitations, and here these sheep would be safest, thus literaly; spiritually it refers to the gathering the Elect by the Gospel out of the World, &c.

Marginal references: chap. 28.25·

14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their folds be: there they shall lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

See ver. 13. let. m.

In fat, sweet, plentiful Pastures.

To rest in there for safety, they shall settle their habitations upon their return, or there my Flock, my People, my Church shall dwell and rest, where Idolaters once had their high places thus spiritually:

This and what follows is a confirmation of what before was promised, and 'tis assured to them by the Lord who himself will see all this be done.

16 I will seek that which was lost , and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong ; I will feed them with judgment.

Verse 4. let. s.

Ibid. let. q.

Ibid. let. o. and r.

Severely punish which as threatned, so was fulfilled in the ruine of the Rulers of this People.

The powerful and rich, who by oppressing and devouring my People grew fat, proud, troublesome and dangerous to the poor sheep.

By their authority I gave, and by the encroachments they have made to increase their power.

'Tis an Irony, I'le feed them but with Wormwood, and gall, my sore, but just judgments, and displeasure, so some; but others refer judgment here to reason, decency and fitness, the most convenient, beneficial, and safe way, as a wise shepherd will I feed these my sheep, and either may consist with the context.

In the 16th. verse former part God promiseth to his People, that he will do all the offices of a good, watchful, and tender, faithful shepherd, which those shepherds did neglect, ver. 4. which see.

Marginal references: Mic. 4.6.

17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I judge between cattel and cattel, between the rams and the he goats.

Make a different estimate, and judgment between Men and Men, between the smaller and weaker, that need more tenderness, and the greater and stronger, whose violence is to be restrained and as becomes me, and their different state requires I will do.

The Hieroglyphick of Rulers in the authority, humours and carriage toward their subjects, who are also observed, and shall be dealt with accordingly, when God makes good all this his word.

Marginal references: chap. [illegible: 3 letters].38. Zech. 1[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter]. Matth. 25▪; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] cattel of [illegible: 1 word] and Ki[illegible: 2 letters].; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 letter]e goats.

18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

God awakens them by this interrogatory to think first, and then speak what this is, when you are full fed, and others hungry, and ready to starve, who might live on that you leave, if you did not spoil it, do you think such killing is no crime? Is it not a very great cruelty, and a most barbarous inhumanity? You great ones, who have much more, then others, partly by the bounty of the Lord of the sheep, and partly by your injustice and rapine, you eat the fat, and sweet, and what you cannot eat, you wast, and spoil, and what would you say, if your proud, fat and spiteful Servants in your houses should do so to their weaker, leaner, and modester Servants?

Which are clear to the eye, and pleasant, which are sweet to their palate, which are wholsome to the drinker.

In spite as much as wantonness you stamp in them, raise all the mud from the bottom, that makes the waters unfit to be drunk, is this a trivial thing thus to starve and choak those you should feed and refresh? Such hath been the carriage of you rich powerful, ruling, and governing part of my people, who have been forced, either to live on what you made unwholsom, and noxious, or to starve at home, or seek somewhat abroad; this hath destroyed many, and dispersed more, but I will not alwayes wink at, and bear this.

20 ¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I will judge between the fat cattel, and between the lean cattel.

See the phrase verse 11. let. a.

Verse 17. let. d. I am judge by office, and I will vindicate and right the poor by judgment.

The rich, voluptuous, and wanton ones.

The poor and indigent that are despised, oppressed, and injured, thus the Chald. Paraphr. between the rich man, and the poor man.

22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattel and cattel.

In the 21th. verse those metaphors and allusions do express the unmercifulness, injustice, pride, cruelty, and wanton Tyranny of the Rulers in Church and State against the meaner People, that as you see the greater Cattle run against the lesser, and overturning, or laming, some way or other hurting them by shouldring against them; or as horned Cattel wound and tear the weaker, and make them run for it, so had these Rulers used their power to the hurt and scattering of the People.

Because I see they destroy who should defend.

I will interpose, they will not, but I will be so kind, just and faithful to my people, and promise, I will save, from Foreign violence, and home oppressions.

See ver. 5. let. a and ver. 10. let. y.

See ver. 17. let. d. and ver. 2. let. k.

23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David : he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd .

Advance, Establish, and make great; thus I will appoint, and set up.

Formerly their many Shepherds destroyed, as Ier. 12.10. now this one shall save, literally, and historically Zerobabel may be somewhat intended, but principally, and plenarily, as Christ is intended here, so in him 'twas accomplisht; for he is the great, good, chief, only Shepherd, that laid down his Life for his sheep.

Give them best, most abundant, and most seasonable food, he also shall govern them in Righteousness, and with equity:

Messiah (as Kimchi on the place) of the seed of David, the beloved one, who was typified by David, and in other places called by this name, as Ier. 30.9. chap. 37.24. and Is. 37.35. Hos. 3.5.

Do all the Office of a good, and faithful shepherd, and that for ever.

I will trust them in his hands, for he will keep them, that not one of them shall be lost, but shall go in, and out under his hand, and find pasture.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]sa. 40.11. [illegible: 1 word]. 37.24. [illegible: 1 word]. 10.11. [illegible: 1 word]. 13.20. Pet. 2.25. [illegible: 1 word] 5.4.

24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a Prince among them: I the LORD have spoken it.

The Glorious, Gracious, Eternal one.

I so put them into Christ's hand, that still I am, and will be their God; yea, I will, through this my servant David, be their God.

Christ was in this great work his Fathers Servant. Isa. 42.1. and 52.13. Ezek. 37.24, 25.

As ver. 23. let. u. Christ called David there as well as here.

So Christ is Prince, and Saviour to his Church, Acts 5.31.

God seals it with this as his oath, unchangeable.

25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

Renew, and confirm to them.

A Covenant of promises, which contain, and shall bring peace in Hebr. dialect, all good; this, as it refers to the state of this people after their return, comprehends that outward peace, and prosperity, that God gave them, but it hath an higher and more excellent import, better mercies of this Covenant established on better promises, i. e. best, because spiritual, and eternal.

During the Babylonish Captivity evil beasts had exceedingly increased through 70 years desolation in Iudea, but on the replanting and increasing of men, these were diminished, and destroyed at last, thus literally, but mystically under the bondage of Satan, worse Beasts destroyed men, these Christ, who turns back that Captivity, will destroy:

Without danger, and without fear, see chap. 28. ver. 26. let. n.

In which both wild, and hurtful beasts, and wilder, more hurtful Robbers, did haunt, there is somewhat of an Hyperbole here, after the temporeal redemption from Babylon they should have that safety, they should account very great after such long and great troubles, in the spiritual Redemption they should have greater safety, when delivered from the hand of Enemies, they serve God in Holiness before him all their dayes.

Places where venomous, and devouring Creatures usually lurk, yet there shall ye venture confidently to sleep, and without much danger.

Marginal references: Isa. 11.6. ad [illegible: 1 letter] chap. 37.[illegible: 1 letter]. Hos. 2.18.

26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing : and I will cause the showr to come down in his season: there shall be showers of blessing.

My returned Captives, who were lookt upon as cursed, reproached, and hated.

All the Countrey.

Ierusalem, or the Temple, Sion, which is called a Holy Hill. Psa. 2.6.

Very prosperous, that men shall report them to be in a Blessed condition, or a blessing to others, among whom they dwell, or a pattern of blessing others, whom we shall wish like to them, whom we wish greatest good to.

Their Land shall be most fruitful in the products of it, Corn, Wine, Oyl, &c. and all these blest to them, whereas formerly their blessings were curst, so they were no blessings, now they shall be blest, and so be double blessings to them.

Marginal references: Psa. 68.9.

27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase , and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke , and delivered them out of the hands of those that served themselves of them.

Either those, that are planted by mans industry in the Field, or those that grow wild in the Field, and yield Fruit, as the Oak, Pine, &c.

Tilled by man.

Great increase, as formerly, when I blest it.

See ver. 25. let. i. and chap. 28. ver. 26. let. n.

The Power, and Tyranny of Babylon.

Which my people groaned under in Captivity.

Made them Slaves, and used them so.

Marginal references: Psa. 85.12.

28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely , and none shall make them afraid .

See ver. 5. let. a. and ver. 10. let. y. and ver. 25. let. i.

See ver. 25. let. h.

See ver. 25. let. i. and chap. 28. ver. 26 let. u.

Neither Beasts, nor Men, for these shall be restrain'd if they would, those be destroyed and cease that they cannot endanger them.

Marginal references: Jer. 30.10. and 46.27.

29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.

Establish, and settle.

Or Plantation, so the word, so the Chaldee Paraphrast, so it best suits new Planters as they now were, however, as we read it, 'tis a promise of honour, and fame to their posterity, as in the Maccabees time, and, which is more, 'tis a promise of the Messiah to be raised for them.

By barrenness of a Land cursed, or by wastes made by Enemies, or by long siege, as formerly.

Who reproacht them, cast away, rejected of God, and accursed, so that they were a taunt, and proverb among the Heathen

Marginal references: Isa 11.1 Jer. 23.5.; Or▪ for renown; Heb. taken away.; chap. 36.3, 6, 15.

30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them , and that they , even the house of Israel, are my people , saith the Lord GOD.

By these many and great Blessings I give them.

The very Heathen, shall be convinced.

Who can do what I promise, and my people expect.

By Covenant, from their fore-fathers.

Present with them, and reconciled to them, and do bless them.

Whom they despised and injured, and e're while did make slaves, and used so.

My peculiar people above all people in the World, and that though he seemed to have cast him off, and they feared it, and the Enemies boasted he had, yet he owns them for his, and will not break his Covenant.

31 And ye my flock , the flock of my pasture are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.

Now, That you, nor any else mistake the Allegory, note, saith God, This Flock of my pasture are not sheep literally, but they are men exprest by this emblem, and these men are those, I am a God to, and will be so for ever.

Marginal references: Joh. 10.11.