Ezekiel 34:16. But I will destroy, &c.— Houbigant, after many of the versions, reads, I will preserve the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment: but the following verses, wherein a discrimination is made between the good and the bad, and the faults of the flock are reproved, seem to confirm our version. read more
16. In contrast to the unfaithful shepherds (Ezekiel 34:4). The several duties neglected by them I will faithfully discharge. fat . . . strong—that is, those rendered wanton by prosperity (Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 5:28), who use their strength to oppress the weak. Compare Jeremiah 5:28- :, "the fat cattle" (Jeremiah 5:28- :). The image is from fat cattle that wax refractory. with judgment—that is, justice and equity, as contrasted with the "force" and "cruelty" with which the unfaithful... read more
17. you, . . . my flock—passing from the rulers to the people. cattle and cattle—rather, "sheep and sheep"; Margin, "small cattle," or "flocks of lambs and kids," that is, I judge between one class of citizens and another, so as to award what is right to each. He then defines the class about to be punitively "judged," namely, "the rams and he-goats," or "great he-goats" (compare Isaiah 14:9, Margin; Zechariah 10:3; Matthew 25:32; Matthew 25:33). They answer to "the fat and strong," as opposed... read more
The Lord’s intervention for Israel 34:11-24"If any passage was at the heart of Ezekiel’s contribution to the ongoing promise [to Israel], it was Ezekiel 34:11-31 . . ." [Note: Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Toward an Old Testament Theology, p. 240.] read more
God Himself would feed His flock and lead the sheep to rest (cf. Ezekiel 34:3). He would seek the lost, return the scattered, heal the broken, and strengthen the sick (cf. Ezekiel 34:4; Ezekiel 34:6; Isaiah 61:1-2; Micah 2:12; Micah 4:6-8; Luke 4:16-21). He would also destroy the fat, strong shepherds who had failed Him by feeding these leaders judgment. read more
The Lord announced too that He would distinguish among the members of His flock, judging them individually (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). Here the Lord viewed the exilic leaders as sheep among His sheep rather than as shepherds. They were, after all, also His sheep. Some of these leaders had not only eaten good pasture and drunk clear water but had made it impossible for the other sheep to eat good food and drink good water. The ordinary sheep had to get by with trampled grass and muddy water. read more
The Good Shepherd of IsraelIn this chapter Israel is described as God’s flock. Its former kings were evil shepherds who sought their own selfish ends and were careless what became of the sheep. The flock had become the prey of wild beasts (the heathen nations). God would judge the evil shepherds and deliver the sheep from them. He would Himself be the Shepherd of His people, gathering the scattered and lost, caring for the sick and wounded, feeding the flock in security (Ezekiel 34:1-16). The... read more
(16) The fat and the strong.—While fatness is in general an emblem of prosperity, it is frequently used in Scripture, as here, for that prosperity which begets hardness of heart and forgetfulness of God. (See Deuteronomy 32:15; Acts 28:27, &c.)With judgment.—This does not mean, as the ambiguous sense of the English word might make it possible to suppose, with wisdom, but with righteousness and authority, as is plainly seen from the connection with the following verses. read more
(17) Between cattle and cattle.—In other words, between one and another of the flock. They are not all alike to be saved and blessed, but only those who turn in penitence and submission to God, their Shepherd. The same contrast is again expressed in Ezekiel 34:20; Ezekiel 34:22. It is not between “the cattle” on the one side, and “the rams and the he-goats” on the other, but between the cattle themselves, and also between the rams and he-goats themselves; all the evil, of whatever class, are to... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 34:17
cattle and cattle : i.e. between the sheep and the goats: rams being the sheep, while the he-goats are set in contrast. read more