CHAPTER 33
This chapter is about "The Watchman and the Wall." A distinction is made between a faithful watchman and an unfaithful one. A faithful watchman is one like Ezekiel who keeps on warning the people to repent even when they refused to listen. An unfaithful watchman is one who stops warning the people because they don't listen. Blood will be on the hands of an unfaithful watchman who gives up.
Ezekiel is instructed to preach two sermons to Israel. He preaches a twofold message before the fall of Jerusalem:
--1. "Your past good deeds will not deliver you from the coming judgment unless you repent."
--2. "Your present bad deeds will not deliver you to the coming judgment if your repent."
After the fall of Jerusalem, few who escaped the destruction tells Ezekiel about it. The prophets tell those who survived the destruction that severe punishment will soon fall upon them if they continue their evil ways. Some of the Jews in captivity in Babylon make fun of Ezekiel and laughs about him.
CHAPTER 34
This chapter is about "The Shepherd and the Sheep." Just as the unfaithful and the faithful watchman were compared in Chapter 33, there is a comparison between the false shepherds and the faithful shepherds in this chapter.
False shepherds ignore their flocks while taking care of their own needs such as feeding themselves and drinking water. The food and water they don't use, they throw it on the ground and tample it.
False shepherds refuse to care for the sick, weak and injured sheep. Besides they rule with force and cruelty. They don't keep wild animals away from their own flocks.
On the other hand, the faithful shepherd is just the opposite. Notice there is an "s" on false shepherds, but there is no "s" on the faithful shepherd. Some believe the faithful shepherd is the prophecy of the coming Messiah.
Relationship with false shepherds: The faithful shepherd removes the false shepherds from their posts and holds them responsible for their bad deeds. He considers them enemies.
Relationship with the sheep: The faithful shepherd separates the fat, unruly sheep from the scrawny, downtrodden sheep. He feeds them and nourishes them back to good health. He provides and protects them. Then he adopts them as his own. This tender loving care for the sheep should remind you of Psalm 23.
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