And I will gather together the remnant of my flock, out of all the lands into which I have cast them out: and I will make them return to their own fields, and they shall increase and be multiplied.

“Here he threatens punishment: and first the threat is set forth against the shepherds. "I will visit." Above, 21: "I will visit upon you according to the fruit of your studies." Second, the consolation of the scattered flock is set forth, "I will gather": where first he sets forth the gathering. Ezekiel 34: "I will lead them out from the peoples, and gather them from the lands," etc. And the prosperity of their state, "and they shall increase." Genesis 1: "Increase, and multiply, and fill the earth." Second, he promises them the amendment of their prelates: and first he promises them careful princes, setting forth the carefulness of the shepherds: "and I will raise up" — when you shall already have fallen away into nothing — "shepherds." Ezra, and others, according to some. But better, the apostles. Above, 3: "I will give you shepherds according to my heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine." And the usefulness of their carefulness, namely security: "they shall not fear" — as to the outward signs of fear — and "they shall not dread" — inwardly — "and none shall be missing out of their number," as if to say: none of the number of the Church shall fear, or fail through the negligence of the apostles. Or it is referred to the number of the predestined. John 17: "none of them has perished but the son of perdition." This security, however, is not perfected in this life, but will be perfected when perfect charity casts out fear: 1 John 4 — but it will be consummated in the future. Second, he promises them a best king, showing the fitness of the time: "behold" — on account of certainty — "the days" — of grace. 2 Corinthians 6: "behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation." The condition of the coming king as to the nobility of his lineage: "and I will raise up to David a just branch." Below, 33: "I will make to spring up to David a branch of justice, and he shall do judgment and justice in the earth." As to the authority of his dignity: "and the king shall reign" — not only over the Jews, but also over all kings. Luke 1: "and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever." Daniel 7: "whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and obey." As to the wisdom of his heart: "and he shall be wise" — nay rather, wisdom itself. Corinthians 1: "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." And as to the execution of justice: "and he shall do judgment" — in the first coming, against the Devil, who was called the prince of the world: John 12: "now is the judgment of the world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out," namely, into the outer darkness; but in the second, against all, punishing by a general sentence. John 5: "the father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the son." And "justice," which he taught was to be kept. Matthew 5: "unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." And for fulfilling it, the help of grace: whence he sets forth the usefulness of his coming, as to salvation from punishment: "in those days it shall be saved": in the first coming, in part; in the second coming, universally, when all Israel shall be saved: Romans 11. Isaiah 10: "if the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be converted of it." And as to security: "and Israel shall dwell confidently." And this is to be expounded as above. Isaiah 32: "my people shall sit in the beauty of peace, in the tabernacles of justice, and in wealthy rest." He says "Judah" as to the two tribes; "Israel" as to the ten, to signify that in the faith of Christ they shall be in concord. Hosea 1: "and they shall appoint themselves one head," etc.”

“And I will gather the remnant of my flock, out of all countries,.... Such of them as did not perish by the sword, famine, and pestilence, or died not in captivity, and chose not to remain in the kingdom where they were; for all did not return upon the edict of Cyrus: though some think this is to be understood of the gathering of God's elect, the remnant according to the election of grace, the children of God that were scattered abroad, by the sufferings and death of Christ, the Shiloh, to whom the gathering of the people should be, hereafter prophesied of: whither I have driven them; this, which is before charged upon the pastors, is taken by the Lord to himself; because this was not only permitted by him, namely, the dispersion and captivity of the Jews, but was inflicted by him as a punishment upon them for their sins, and the sins of their governors; but yet such was the mercy and goodness of God, as to return a remnant of them: and will bring them again to their folds; to the city of Jerusalem, and their dwelling houses there, and in other places; an emblem of the Lord's bringing his chosen remnant, whether Jews or Gentiles, into a good fold and good pastures, to a Gospel church state, and the ordinances of it, Joh 10:16; and they shall be fruitful and increase; the remnant of the flock returned to their own land and dwellings, and there grow numerous, and increase in wealth and riches; as Christ's spiritual sheep, gathered into his fold, become fruitful in grace and good works, and increase with the increase of God.”

“Restoration of Judah from Babylon foretold in language which in its fulness can only apply to the final restoration of both "Judah" and "Israel" (compare Jer 23:6); also "out of all countries," in this verse and Jer 23:8; also, "neither shall they be lacking," that is, none shall be missing or detached from the rest: a prophecy never yet fully accomplished. It holds good also of the spiritual Israel, the elect of both Jews and Gentiles (Mal 3:16-17; Joh 10:28; Joh 17:12). As to the literal Israel also, see Jer 32:37; Isa 54:13; Isa 60:21; Eze 34:11-16. shepherds . . . shall feed them-- (Jer 3:15; Eze 34:23-31). Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Maccabees were but typical of the consummating fulfilment of these prophecies under Messiah.”