Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself come upon the shepherds, I will require my flock at their hand, and I will cause them to cease from feeding the flock any more, neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more: and I will deliver my flock from their mouth, and it shall no more be meat for them.
כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה הִנְנִ֨י אֶֽל־הָרֹעִ֜ים וְֽדָרַשְׁתִּ֧י אֶת־צֹאנִ֣י מִיָּדָ֗ם וְהִשְׁבַּתִּים֙ מֵרְע֣וֹת צֹ֔אן וְלֹא־יִרְע֥וּ ע֛וֹד הָרֹעִ֖ים אוֹתָ֑ם וְהִצַּלְתִּ֤י צֹאנִי֙ מִפִּיהֶ֔ם וְלֹֽא־תִהְיֶ֥יןָ לָהֶ֖ם לְאָכְלָֽה׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Look, I will summon my flock and care for them just like a shepherd cares for his sheep. I will rescue the sheep from the grasp of those who harm them and lead them away from oppression; they will no longer be able to consume my sheep. However, when they are freed from captivity, I will reclaim my sheep from those who have devoured them.
The Lord’s message is directed towards the unfaithful leaders: “Because you have acted in this manner, as previously outlined and reiterated; behold, I will personally confront the shepherds and bring My flock back from the grasp of those who would prefer to have millstones placed around their necks than to lead astray even one of My little ones” (Matthew 18). This will be their most severe punishment—to no longer guide My flocks and, under the pretense of being sheep, to care for themselves while amassing wealth. I will rescue My people from their misguided guidance. I will call them forth from the power of these leaders and save them from the clutches of those who consume with insatiable greed.
Through these statements, He indicates the end of the Jewish high priesthood and kingship. For He declares, I will rescue my sheep from the wicked authority of those who showed them no compassion, but merely sought to devour them. He then assures us of salvation through our Lord and Savior.
I embrace the admonishment and turn my attention, along with others entrusted by divine providence with the care of souls. Indeed, dear brothers and co-laborers, we must exercise great caution and mindfulness in evaluating whether we embody the qualities demanded by our calling. I do not ask if you bear exceptional signs of grace, akin to St. Paul or St. Alexis; for the Holy Spirit bestows remarkable gifts of grace as He chooses, and these are not universally sought after. Rather, do we strive to attain sufficient spiritual insight to illuminate others effectively and genuinely? Is our lifestyle arranged to communicate lessons without words—more significantly than mere words? Are we vigilant over our own souls? How can we teach others if we lack the fervor to educate ourselves?
How can we lead others toward spiritual vitality if our existence is ensnared by worldly distractions? How can we inspire others to persistent and heartfelt prayer if they perceive our inattentiveness and lack of precision in the sacred services? The learned sheep are capable of distinguishing the safe flock from perilous terrain and are thus responsible for their own wellbeing if they fall to the wolf; yet, will not the shepherd be culpable for dozing while the straying sheep require guidance and gathering? Let us be diligent in our own lives and our ministry, lest the grave words of the Lord, once directed at the shepherds of Israel, also echo toward us: 'Shepherds shepherd their own sheep, but My sheep they shall not shepherd. Behold, I am against the shepherds.'
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS