who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 The great king whom God was going to send to Israel would be the shepherd of his people. Ezekiel hears the promise of God: "And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them; he shall feed them, and be their shepherd" ( Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 37:24). 