Some light is shed upon this question in Ezekiel 34:11-22, 31, where the prophet says: “For thus saith the Lord God; behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.... I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.... Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey.... And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.” COOD 23.1