The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 209

I. THEIR 00NDUCT. This is very graphically and (after Ezekiel's manner) witli outspoken plainness described in these verses. 1. The shepherds' neglect of the flock. They neither feed them upon suitable pastures, nor strengthen the weak, nor heal th<1 sickly, nor recover the lost, nor deliver the defenceless sheep from the wild beasts of the field. On the contrary, they treat them with violence and with rigour. 2. The shepherds' care for themselves. They use the flock merely for their own pleasure and advantage, eating of the flesh of the sheep, and clothing themselves with their wooL 3. The consequent condition of the flock. Neglected by their custodians, they are scattered, they wander upon every high hill, they fall a prey to the beasts of the field. In all these respects there is a parallel between the conduct of careless, hireling shep- herds and the conduct of those in Israel who claimed to be the spiritual pastors of the people. These, whether priests or prophets by profession, simply used their position as a means towards their personal wealth, ease, pleasure, and aggrandizement. And no wonder that the sons of Israel, so neglected by those who should have made their highest welfare their care, were abandoned to every enemy, and sank into a state of degeneration, debasement, and hopelessness. II. THEIB CONDEMNATION. That such flagrant neglect of duty could not pass unnoticed and unpunished may be presumed by the least thoughtful Under the rule of a Governor of infinite justice, those placed in a position of eminence and of influence. if they neglect to fulfil the duties of their position, must surely be called to an exact account of their trust. The prophet tells us concerning the unfaithful shepherds that: 1. God is against them. He, whose help and countenance would have beeu vouchsafed had they honestly and e11mestly set themselves to do the work which they professed to undertake, now sets himself against the unfaithful. 2. They are held responsible for the flock. "I will require," says God, "my sheep at their hand." 3. The custody of the flock is taken away from them. And at the same timo, they are prevented from any more feeding themselves. It cannot be that the flock should be punished for wandering, and that the careless llhepherds, through whose neglect they wandered. should be suffered to go free.-T. Vers. 11-16.-The I>ivine Shepherd of elie ftoclc. What a marvellous contrast is here presented between the hireling and unfaithful shepherds who have presumptuously undertaken the care of God's people, and the Lord God, who in his condescension assumes the pastoia} office, aud fulfils it with Divine qualifications and completeness! According to the beautiful and touching representation of this passage- I. 'l'BE LoBD SEEKS BIS SHEEP WHEN LOST. They have gone astray, through wilful- ness on their part and through negligence on the part of the pretended shepherds. But the Divine Shepherd seeks and saves that which was lost, and, distant though they be, and in dangerous places, finds them out and lays his gracious hand upon them. II. 'l'HE LORD DELIVERS BIS SHEEP FROM THE POWER OF THEIR ENEMIES. They have their enemies, and they have fallen into their enemies' hands. From such perU One only can save; and the Lord rescues them and, in the exercise of his 11ity and his power, sets them free from bondage and oppression. III. THE LoRD RESTORES THEM TO THE FOLD OF SAFETY ANI) OF FE.A.OE. Even IUI Jehovah brought back the exiles from the East into the land of their fathers, so docs the good Shepherd and Bishop of souls ever restore the penitent and believing to the welcome of his gracious heart, and to the fellowship of his rejoicing Church, to go ne more out. IV. THE LORD FEEDS THEM IN THE l'ASTURES OF BIS GRAOE. The language of thia passage is upon this point very full, rich, and reassuring. The good Shepherd declares. "I will foed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the water-courses; I will feed them upon good pasture, and on fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel." We may understand by this all the provision which the wisdom and loving- kindness of God have made for the wants and the welfare of his redeemed-the truth. of his Word, the blessings of his sacraments, the fellowship of his saints. V. THE LORD BEALS THEM FROM ALL THEIR WEAKNESSES AND SUFFERINGS. "l will bind up that which was broken, and strengthen that which was sick." He hcaletb. all our diseases. His hand applies the remedy, administers the medicine, restores the broken health of the soul. No necessity is uncared for; no ill fails to meet his sym- 216 THE DOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [cH. :nnv. 1--31.