Ezekiel 34:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He will establish a covenant of peace with them, one that does not involve conflict or strife, for His presence is in the world (Ps. 55:3). This covenant embodies the peace of Christ, which surpasses all comprehension (Phil. 4), and declares, “My peace I give unto you, my peace I leave unto you” (John 14:27). I will eliminate the ferocious beasts from the earth—these are the vices and passions that torment human souls, as well as the sinister forces that launch assaults against them. Those who inhabit the wilderness shall find safety and rest among the forests. For the Lord will open the oak trees, and all will proclaim glory in His sanctuary (Psalm 28:9). When the ferocious beasts are banished and the land becomes a desolate place, they will lie down without fear of such creatures and will affirm, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 26:1).

I grant David a covenant of tranquility. Paul elucidates this when he proclaims about Christ, “He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath torn down the midst of the fence” (Eph. 2:14). God also declared, “I will appoint them one shepherd,” for there is one shepherd for all believers, both Jews and Gentiles. Furthermore, I will eliminate the wicked beasts from the earth, referring to the legions of malevolent spirits and individuals who exhibit bestial behavior. Some among them transformed, becoming rational and entirely liberated from their depravity, while others remained entrapped until their demise. They will inhabit desolate places, filled with trust, and rest under oak trees. The wilderness and the oak trees represent barrenness.