The Lord having by his servant the Prophet, preferred the charge of the unworthiness of his servants, here pronounceth the sentence which he will execute against them: and a tremendous one it is. And it is rendered the more awful being ushered in by the solemnity of the Lord's oath. The sentence is included under two branches; either one of which, if alone, had been enough to have made the ears of every unfaithful shepherd to tingle; but taken together, becomes tremblingly awful. Behold, I am against you, saith the Lord, this is one; and the other is, I will require my flock at your hands. Oh! who can read such a solemn declaration of Jehovah, among even the faithful servants of the Lord; but with fear and trembling? And who that is conscious of neglect in the ministerial function, but must fall down under the most awakening apprehensions!
Ezekiel 34:7-10
7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.