Good And Bad Shepherds

Jeremiah 23:1-6

When we send our children to school, we expect that our children will be taught true and honest lessons.  We expect that the information imparted to their eager minds is correct and accurate. No one would want their child taught that the world is flat, or that the sun rises in the west and sets in the east.   Also, when we leave our children with a babysitter, we want to make sure that the sitter we pick is someone who will watch over them, taking good care of them, not someone who will ignore the child, and instead is watching TV or the internet.  God is the same way about His children. This week’s Old Testament Scripture selection is from the prophet Jeremiah, and he brought a message from God about those who were tasked with watching over and teaching God’s children.

As our passage begins, the Lord, speaking through His prophet Jeremiah, is angry with the shepherds who are not properly and attentively watching over His sheep (vs. 1-2).  The shepherds here were false religious leaders and teachers. They had failed in their duty to lead and teach the people God’s truth. When a shepherd is put in charge of a flock of sheep, he is to lead them to fields that have good, fresh grass, and streams with clean, cool water.  They are also to watch over and protect the sheep from predatory animals and any other dangers, including keeping the sheep from straying. These shepherds had failed miserably in their duty. They were not instructing the people in the Word of God, which led to many of the people turning to false, pagan gods in worship.

This is not just a problem in Old Testament times.  The Church has pastors, Bible teachers, evangelists, and other leaders who are also like shepherds.  They have a responsibility to lead and teach their flock. There are many shepherds who are faithful and true to the Good Shepherd, teaching their flocks the Word of God in truth.  However, there are some who are just like their Old Testament counterparts, who are not true to the Scriptures. They are not leading the flocks to good pasture, but instead are allowing them to graze in fields of false religious and philosophical beliefs.  They are not protecting them from the wolves sent from Satan. God warned the Old Testament shepherds, and these today, as well, that He will attend to them for the evil of their doing (vs. 2). There will be harsh judgment on religious leaders who lead God’s flock astray.  They are held responsible for those He has entrusted to their care.

As our passage continues, God has promised that He would send true shepherds.  He would send shepherds who will teach the people the Word of God in truth (vs 4).  This has found ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the Messiah, who is our Good Shepherd. Christian pastors and teachers today are under-shepherds, under the leadership of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  They are instructed to feed the flock from God’s Word, and keep them from any fear from attacks of the enemy. God’s flock should not be lacking from any spiritual nourishment.

As the prophet Jeremiah continues his message from the Lord God, he brings a prophecy of the coming Messiah (vs. 5-6).  The Messiah is pictured here as a branch or shoot from David’s family tree. David’s family tree was large and extensive, one line of which contained the kings of Judah.  Each of us has a family tree, usually containing both some good and some not so good members. Though there were some kingly descendants of David’s that lead the people astray, God had promised that the Savior of mankind would come from David’s line.  Here that promise is stated again. Jesus would be a branch from David’s family tree, a branch of righteousness.

All mankind are sinners.  We have no way of pleasing a holy and righteous God on our own.  Jesus came and lived a sinless life, and took our sins upon Himself, paying with His Blood upon the cross our sin penalty.  All we need to do is to call upon the Lord Jesus as our Savior, taking and claiming for our own His payment for our sins and His forgiveness. He took our penalty, we take His righteousness. He is Yahweh Tsidkenu - the Lord our Righteousness.