Ezekiel 34:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Paul's passionate affection for those he guided was profound. This fervor earned him such deep admiration from his disciples that he remarked, ‘If it were possible, you would cast out your eyes and give them to me’ (Galatians 4:15). This illustrates why God particularly rebukes the Jewish leaders for their absence of love.

The message is directed towards the leaders of Israel, which can refer to kings, princes, scribes, Pharisees, and educators of the Jewish community. Similarly, in the context of the Evangelical church, it pertains to bishops, presbyters, and deacons. In a deeper sense, it may also allude to the angels assigned to each congregation, as noted in John's Revelation (Rev. 1), whose angels continually behold the face of God (Matt. 18). The scripture warns, "Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who, while they should be tending the Lord's flock and ensuring its salvation, prioritize their own comfort and luxury." Consequently, it is crucial to adhere to these principles: do not strive to impose judgment if you cannot eliminate injustice (Sir. 7:6).

God asks you, what truly defines a shepherd's role: is it to find sustenance for himself or to tend to the flock? Look, you consume the milk, dress yourselves with the wool, and slay the fatlings, yet you neglect to tend to my sheep. This is all said metaphorically: you, the priests, gathered the initial offerings, the tithes, and the sacrificial lands; and you, the kings, when collecting tithes and taxes, were not content, but instead killed the wealthy to seize their riches for yourselves; yet neither you nor your priests took any interest in caring for the flock. He proceeds to illustrate the absurdity of their actions in detail.