What are the “I Wills” of God in Ezekiel 34

Many times throughout Scripture, God says, “I will…” (Read Jesus’s Seven “I Will” Statements). Ezekiel 34 thaat offers hope and restoration for ancient Israel through 20 of those statements. In this passage, God confronts Israel’s failed leaders and declares His “I will” promises, revealing Himself as the true Shepherd who rescues, restores, and blesses His flock. Each “I will” pledges God’s personal intervention, justice, and love, demonstrating His faithfulness even when human leaders fail.

Condemnation of the False Shepherds

God entrusted Israel’s leaders to shepherd His people. In Ezekiel 34, God rebukes them for their selfishness and neglect. Instead of caring for the flock, they exploited and scattered them:

“Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?… The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick… My sheep wandered through all the mountains… and none did search or seek after them.” (Ezekiel 34:2-6)

The leaders’ failure left the people vulnerable and scattered, but God never gave up His claim on them. Their failure sets the stage for God’s direct intervention.

God’s Opposition and Intervention

God declares His opposition to the false shepherds: “Behold, I am against the shepherds” (Ezekiel 34:10) and then continues with 20 “I will” statements that reveal the True Shepherd’s Promises to seek, gather, and heal His people.  God’s “I will” promises in Ezekiel 34:11-16 are deeply personal and compassionate. 

Ezekiel 34:10 

1. I WILL require My flock at their hand…
2. I WILL cause them to cease feeding the sheep…
3. I WILL deliver My flock from their mouths…

Ezekiel 34:11  

4. I Myself WILL search for My sheep and seek them out.

Ezekiel 34:13

5. I WILL bring them out from the peoples and gather them…
6. I WILL feed them…

Ezekiel 34:14  

7. “I WILL feed them in good pasture

Ezekiel 34:15  

8. “I WILL feed My flock…
9. I WILL make them lie down…

Ezekiel 34:16  

10. I WILL seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick
11. I WILL destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.

Ezekiel 34:20 

12. I Myself WILL judge between the fat and the lean sheep.

Ezekiel 34:22 

13. I WILL save My flock…
14. I WILL judge between sheep and sheep.

Ezekiel 34:23  

15. I WILL establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them…

Ezekiel 34:24 

16. I, the LORD, WILL be their God…

Ezekiel 34:25 

17. I WILL make a covenant of peace with them…

Ezekiel 34:26  

18. I WILL make them and the places all around My hill a blessing;
19. I WILL cause showers to come down in their season…

Ezekiel 34:29  

20. “I WILL raise up for them a garden of renown…

Unlike the false shepherds, God Himself promises to gather, heal, and provide for His flock. These promises point to the coming Messiah, the Good Shepherd, who will fulfill all God’s promises.

Righteous Judgment Within the Flock

Note also that God’s judgment and justice are not only of the leaders but also of those within the flock:

“Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle… Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.” (Ezekiel 34:17, 20-22)

God promises to judge between the oppressor and the oppressed, ensuring fairness and protection for the vulnerable. God always deals justly and will not allow injustice, even among His flock, to go unaddressed.

The Promise of a Shepherd-King

God promises to provide a true Shepherd from the line of David:

“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David… And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them.” (Ezekiel 34:23-24)

This prophecy points to Israel’s Messiah, whom they once rejected.  He will return as the Shepherd-King, guiding and feeding the people and restoring righteous leadership in a Kingdom of peace, safety, and abundance.

A Covenant of Peace and Blessing

“And I will make with them a covenant of peace… and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness… I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing… there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land…” (Ezekiel 34:25-27)

The imagery of fruitful land and seasonal rains underscores His commitment to meet every need and pour out blessings. To Israel, God will fulfill His promises of a Kingdom and a King who will rule and reign in righteousness from God’s holy city, Jerusalem.

Restoration of Identity and Relationship

With 20 “I Will” promises in this passage, God’s final words to Israel are a declaration of Israel’s eyes being opened and their newly found confidence in the Lord.

“Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people… You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 34:30-31)

When the people of Israel see and experience God fulfilling His promises, they will know Him. These signs will help them recognize Jesus as their promised Messiah and Savior and put their trust in Him.  Then they will know their God personally and belong to Him forever. This restored relationship is the ultimate goal of all the “I will” promises in Ezekiel 34.

Conclusion: The Hope of God’s “I Wills”

The “I wills” of God in Ezekiel 34 declare His perfect justice, compassion, and faithfulness throughout all ages. Each promise guarantees what God Himself will do—rescue, restore, shepherd, judge, bless, and establish peace.  Ezekiel 34 assures God’s ancient people, Israel, of His future blessing and His faithfulness to keep His word and fulfill all that He has promised to them.

For all who feel lost or wounded, these promises remind us to trust the Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd who never fails and has promised all who are His that He will never leave or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5).

<*}}}><

Read also: What are the “I Will ” Statements of Satan, God, and Jesus? 
What are the 7 “I Am” Statements and 7 “I Will” Statements from Jesus?