Jeremiah 23:1-4
God holds spiritual and political leaders accountable for the care of His people and promises restoration through faithful leadership.
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says Yahweh.
2 Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says Yahweh.
3 “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they will be fruitful and multiply.
4 I will set up shepherds over them, who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says Yahweh.
God holds spiritual and political leaders accountable for the care of His people and promises restoration through faithful leadership.
To condemn the shepherds of Israel who destroyed and scattered God’s people and to announce that the LORD Himself will gather the remnant and appoint faithful shepherds over them.
Jeremiah 23:1–4 marks a transition in the prophet’s message. After exposing the failures of Judah’s kings in chapter 22, Jeremiah now condemns the broader leadership class described as shepherds. The passage begins with judgment but quickly introduces the theme of restoration that continues throughout chapter 23.
False Shepherds, the Righteous Branch, and the Fire of the LORD's Word
When kings and prophets fail the flock, the LORD promises the righteous Branch and exposes every false word by the fire of his own true word.