Ezekiel 34:29, commentary and pictures

Ezekiel 34 confronts shepherds who fail in their duty, warning against being deceived and against acting as an unfaithful shepherd, and calling for a return to loyalty. In that setting the chapter is joined with Isaiah 58 to show that failing shepherds reject the truth that should feed the flock and trample upon the law.

The verse stands within God's covenant of peace, giving most precious encouragement that God will save His flock so that they are no more a prey. In the surrounding promise God sets one shepherd over them, His servant David, to feed them, and the Lord Himself will be their God. Around it He makes His people and the places round about His hill a blessing, sends showers of blessing with rain, makes the tree yield fruit and the earth increase, breaks the bands of their yoke, delivers them from oppression and from those who used them, causes evil beasts to cease, and makes them dwell safely with none to make them afraid.

God raises up for them a plant of renown, a renowned source of provision and protection, so they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land and shall no more bear the shame of the heathen nations. Through these blessings they shall know that the Lord their God is with them and that they, the house of Israel, are His people and His flock belonging to Him.

The most striking feature of this covenant is the exceeding richness of pardoning mercy to the sinner who repents and turns from his sin, which is the gospel as salvation through tender mercy. God does not set aside justice in showing this mercy, for Christ by His sacrifice has satisfied the demands of the law for every repentant and believing sinner, and under the new covenant perfect obedience is the condition of life with pardon for the sinner who repents and confesses.