Ezekiel 34:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Ezekiel serves as a prophetic figure for Christ, portraying Him as the image of David, given that He incarnated from the lineage of David. This servant portrayal emphasizes that the Son of God, in becoming human, is also referred to as the servant of God. On behalf of God the Father, Ezekiel conveys a message about Him: "And I will set one shepherd over them to shepherd them, My servant David; he shall shepherd them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David shall be a prince among them. I, the Lord, have spoken it" (Ezekiel 34:23-24).

He will appoint one Shepherd, who proclaims in the Gospel, ‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:14), His servant David, embodying the nature of a servant (Philippians 2), for the name David signifies strength. He will guide them, and the Lord will be their God—this may refer to either the Son and the Father or the Shepherd who took on human form; yet, He is also the Lord and God, as the Word who was present with God from the beginning (John 1:1-2). When the sheep are endowed with understanding, this David will no longer be regarded merely as a shepherd but will be acknowledged as a prince among them, as it is written, He stands in the midst of you, whom you do not know (John 1:26).

I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will serve as their leader. He does not question the truth of His statement by adding, I am the Lord. The greatness of the One who spoke is enough to validate the truthfulness of His words.