Rules • Jeremiah 23:1-12
By Don Schuman
Some years ago, I observed a border collie working a flock of sheep. The collie’s owner gave directions by whistles and commands. Amazingly, the collie understood each instruction and carried it out flawlessly.
It herded the stray sheep back into the flock. It moved the flock left, right, forward, and backward according to the master’s directions. It kept them together in a circle in the middle of the field. I had to admire the training and obedience of both the dog and its owner.
Imagine if the dog disregarded its training and scattered the sheep. Imagine if it attacked the sheep or drove them into a place of harm. Suppose the collie left the sheep to chase rabbits. Most people would likely have a different opinion of the dog.
The pastors, or leaders, of Judah were not only disobedient to the Master, the Lord God of heaven and earth. They were leading the nation to ruin and destruction by their wickedness.
New Shepherds (Jeremiah 23:1-4). The Lord declared that He would replace the worthless shepherds with honorable ones who would gather the remnant, the people who returned from exile in Babylon, and restore the nation.
These shepherds included Ezra who led in the rebuilding of the Temple and Temple worship of the Lord God, and Nehemiah who led in the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Their prayers and commitment as recorded in the books that bear their names demonstrate their hearts for the Lord God and for His remnant.
To this remnant, God would send the Good, the Great, the Chief Shepherd to His people. The Lord Jesus Christ fulfills the description of a Shepherd whom God would establish over His flock and would personally tend to them and be their Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23).
He would lead in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake (Psalm. 23:3). He fulfills the prophecy of the Lord as the Shepherd who would feed His flock and gather the lambs with His arms and carry them (Isaiah 40:11).
Jesus is the perfect Sacrifice as the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep (John 10:11). Whereas thieves and wolves come to destroy the flock, Jesus came that they might have abundant life.
He is the living Lord as the Great Shepherd, in whom the sheep have peace with God (Hebrews 13:20). He is the returning King as the Chief Shepherd, who will reward His sheep with crowns of glory (1 Peter 5:4).
Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5-8). Not only would God replace the worthless shepherds with the perfect Shepherd, this Shepherd would come in righteousness to establish righteousness.
This Righteous Shepherd promised blessings to those who hungered and thirsted after God’s righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and who suffered for living righteously (Matthew 5:10). He taught that we should seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first and foremost (Matthew 6:33).
This metaphor of a branch symbolizes the Messiah’s connection to King David and his throne. The genealogy of Jesus’ humanity establishes this connection. He is the Tender Root of Isaiah 53:2 and also the Lamb among the straying sheep who would suffer for the sheep’s sake (Isaiah 53:4-10).
Jesus, this Righteous Branch, is the end of the law for righteousness by faith in Him (Romans 10:4).
Impending Disaster (Jeremiah 23:9-12). Because the people desired neither righteous shepherds nor the promise of the Righteous Branch, God would bring disaster upon Judah. Previous lessons from this quarterly study show a pattern of God’s judgment in the last points.
Lesson three warned of the historical disaster at Shiloh. Lesson four warned of the disaster of God’s abandonment. Lesson five warned of disaster awaiting those who continued after their own devices and the imaginations of their evil hearts.
This lesson continues the warnings. How many warnings would have changed the heart of Judah to repentance and a return to the ways of the Lord? The Lord knew Judah was beyond listening to the Word of the Lord.
Yet the Lord offered a dawn beyond darkness of despair. He promised a time of judgment and righteousness (Jeremiah 22:3) but also that the land would become a place of safety and be called, ‘The LORD is Our Righteousness’ (Jeremiah 23:6).
As we can see the storm clouds of judgment coming upon this world, we also know that a bright day follows when the Chief Shepherd shall appear to establish righteousness throughout the earth.
Schuman is pastor of Temple Church, Myrtle.
