What leadership qualities were lacking in the men mentioned in Jeremiah 52:25? Scene and Setting Jeremiah 52 recounts the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. After the Babylonians breached the city, Nebuzar-adan “took one official who had been appointed over the men of war, seven royal advisers, the scribe of the commander of the army who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land” (Jeremiah 52:25). These were the remaining civic and military leaders of Judah. Who They Were • “One official … over the men of war” – the chief remaining military officer • “Seven royal advisers” – the king’s inner‐circle counselors • “The scribe of the commander of the army” – the personnel officer who mobilized troops • “Sixty men of the people of the land” – prominent lay leaders, likely elders and landowners What God Expected of Leaders • Fear of the LORD (Proverbs 9:10; Deuteronomy 17:18-20) • Obedience to prophetic warning (Jeremiah 26:4-6) • Integrity and justice (Micah 6:8; 2 Samuel 23:3-4) • Courage to stand for truth (Joshua 1:7-9) • Servant-hearted care for the people (Ezekiel 34:2-4) Qualities That Were Missing • Spiritual reverence – They did not fear God or lead the nation in repentance (Jeremiah 5:23-25). • Prophetic responsiveness – Jeremiah’s calls to surrender and live (Jeremiah 38:17-23) were brushed aside. • Integrity – They broke covenants (Jeremiah 34:17-19) and tolerated idolatry (Jeremiah 44:16-19). • Moral courage – Rather than confront the king’s disobedience, they enabled it (2 Kings 24:19). • Wise counsel – Their advice helped provoke Babylon’s wrath instead of averting it (Proverbs 11:14). • Servant leadership – Self-preservation outweighed shepherding the flock (Jeremiah 23:1-2). • Humility – They refused to bow to the Word of the LORD, trusting military schemes instead (Isaiah 30:1-3). Evidence in the Text • Jeremiah 37:2 – “Neither he nor his servants nor the people … listened to the words of the LORD.” • Jeremiah 38:4 – Advisers demand Jeremiah’s death because his prophecy was “weakening the hands of the soldiers.” • Jeremiah 52:3 – “It was because of the anger of the LORD … that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.” These leaders fueled that rebellion. • 2 Chronicles 36:16 – “They mocked God’s messengers, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets.” Why It Matters Today • Titles alone do not equal godly leadership; character does. • Leaders who ignore Scripture steer people toward ruin, even if their strategy seems patriotic or popular. • A failure to fear God ultimately ends in judgment (Proverbs 14:34). • Wise leadership listens to faithful, if unpopular, counsel grounded in God’s Word (Isaiah 30:15). |
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