And my servant David shall be king over them, and they shall have one shepherd: they shall walk in my judgments, and shall keep my commandments, and shall do them.
וְעַבְדִּ֤י דָוִד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְרוֹעֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד יִהְיֶ֣ה לְכֻלָּ֑ם וּבְמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י יֵלֵ֔כוּ וְחֻקֹּתַ֥י יִשְׁמְר֖וּ וְעָשׂ֥וּ אוֹתָֽם׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He also speaks out against the leaders of Israel, assuring them that a singular shepherd will be appointed, a promise that was realized during the era of Zerubbabel. However, the undeterred Jews claim that this prophecy remains unfulfilled; yet, as I mentioned, it indeed came to fruition in Zerubbabel's time. Furthermore, it is foretold regarding Zerubbabel that he will be the sole leader of the Jews. This can likewise be interpreted in reference to our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the prophetic tradition, Ezekiel illustrates Christ through the figure of David, for He assumed humanity from David's lineage. This servant motif underscores the Son of God’s role as not only divine but also as the servant of God. In this context, Ezekiel conveys a divine message from God the Father: “One King shall be king over them all, and they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they be divided into two kingdoms. And they shall no longer defile themselves with their idols, and with their abominations, and with all their vices; and I will deliver them out of all their dwelling places where they have sinned, and will cleanse them—and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. And My servant David shall be King over them and Shepherd of them all” (Ezekiel 37:22-24).
God designates Zerubbabel as His servant David, the leader of His people. This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who, by taking on human flesh, delivered salvation to the world, uniting both the nation of Israel and the Gentile nations, both heavenly and earthly, under His reign. For our benefit, He also refers to Himself as a servant, for He, the Lord and God, became incarnate and assumed the nature of a servant.
These events occurred in a transformative manner under Zerubbabel, and even more accurately under the Lord Christ, for Zerubbabel was merely a governor and leader rather than a king. They will not be divided with differing tongues, nor will they be ruled by two kings. And I will rescue them from all their transgressions, by which they have sinned, and I will purify them, and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. And My servant David shall be their leader, one shepherd for all. This corresponds with what the Lord Christ proclaimed in the holy Gospel: ‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: and it is necessary for Me to bring them, and they will hear My voice: and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd (John 10:16).
God refers to the Lord Christ as David, since He was born from David’s lineage according to the flesh, yet was a servant in human form; for though He existed in the nature of God, He took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:6, 7). Thus, to demonstrate the nature He assumed, He is called a servant, indicating He was born of a servant’s nature. The only-begotten Lord of all is not a servant, and He is called David not in His divine essence but in His descent from David, being perceived as a servant. However, the Word of God, incarnated, adopted this servant nature but did not relinquish His identity; rather, through the union with God’s nature, He elevated our human nature. Consequently, the prophetic message reveals that wickedness and idolatry will no longer exist, the divisions among kingdoms will cease, and all who dwell under a single leadership, guided by one shepherd, will come to know their God and Lord. They will walk in My statutes, adhere to My decrees, and they will dwell in their territory, which I will grant to My servant Jacob: their ancestors will live there, and they along with their descendants will inhabit it, even from generation to generation; and David My servant shall be their leader forever. Let the Jews inquire: Who is this eternal king referred to as David? They themselves must acknowledge that such titles do not fit Zerubbabel; because Zerubbabel did not reign as a king, but was merely a leader of the people, and his authority ended with his death. Should they consider this eternal David to be from David’s lineage, they must identify the ruling line of David. Yet, if, setting aside the monarchy, the lineage of David is undefined, then either the prophecy is deemed incorrect, or we must acknowledge the reign of the Lord Christ, who is called David in flesh. And that the prophecy is indeed valid is something the Jews themselves will affirm. If the prophecy holds true—which it certainly does—and we see no other Jewish kingdom, and the lineage of David itself is neither evident nor discernible, it follows that the Son of God according to His divine nature, who descended from David according to the flesh, reigns as one from David and possesses everlasting authority. Thus, the small-mindedness and disbelief of the Jews, alongside our knowledge of God, become evident and clear. This assertion is further validated by the words that follow. God declares:
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS