Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXXIV A charge against the shepherds of Israel, ver. 1 - 6. Their dismission from their trust, ver. 7 - 10. A promise, that God would take care of his flock, ver. 11 - 16. Another charge against the strong of the flock, for their injuring the weak, ver. 17 - 22. A promise of the Messiah, the great and good shepherd, ver. 23 - 31. The shepherds - The rulers of the people kings, magistrates, and princes; as also priests, and prophets. Of Israel - The two tribes, and the few out of the ten that adhere to the house of David. That feed - Contrive their own ease, advantage, and honour. Ye kill - You contrive methods, to take first the life, and next the estate of the well - fed, the rich and wealthy. But - You take care to lead, protect, provide for, and watch over them. The diseased - The weak and languishing. Bound up - Oppressors in the state, or church, broke many then, but these shepherds bound them not up. No shepherd - No vigilant, faithful shepherd. Became meat - Were made a prey of, and devoured by all their neighbours. In the cloudy and dark day - In the time of general distress. The fat - The powerful and rich. I will feed - I will judge and punish them. I judge - Between men and men, between the smaller and weaker, and the greater and stronger, as their different state requires I will do. The rams - Rulers, who also shalt be dealt with according to their behaviour. But ye must tread down - You great ones, eat the fat, and sweet; and what you cannot eat, you waste and spoil. The deep waters - Which are sufficient for all. I will judge - I will vindicate the poor. The fat cattle - The rich. The lean - The poor. One shepherd - Christ, the great good, chief, only shepherd, that laid down his life for his sheep. My servant David - The seed of David, the beloved one, who was typified by David, and is in other places called by his name, as Jer 30:9 Eze 37:24 Isa 37:35 Hos 3:5. He shall feed - Do all the office of a good and faithful shepherd, and that for ever.