What responsibilities do shepherds have according to Jeremiah 23:2? Setting the Scene Jeremiah speaks to Judah’s leaders—called “shepherds”—who were tasked with caring for God’s people. In 23:2 the Lord exposes their failures, and by implication reveals what faithful shepherding must look like. Key Verse “Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock; you have driven them away and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil you have done,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:2) Responsibilities Drawn from the Verse The negative charges in this verse turn into positive duties: • Keep the flock together – They must not “scatter” or divide God’s people. Unity and corporate faithfulness are required (cf. John 17:11). • Lead with gentleness, not force – Instead of “driving them away,” shepherds guide wisely and patiently (Psalm 23:2; John 10:4). • Provide attentive care – “You have not attended to them” implies active oversight: watching, protecting, and meeting needs (1 Peter 5:2). • Feed the flock spiritually – The context labels them as those who “feed My people,” pointing to the duty of delivering sound doctrine and spiritual nourishment (Ezekiel 34:2–4; 2 Timothy 4:2). • Guard against danger – By scattering the sheep, they exposed them to harm; faithful shepherds shield from false teaching and moral peril (Acts 20:28–30). • Reflect God’s own shepherd-heart – Their standard is the Lord Himself, who promises, “I will attend to you” if they fail, but “I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock” (Jeremiah 23:3). Shepherds are accountable to His character and authority. Consequences of Neglect The Lord’s warning—“I will attend to you for the evil you have done”—shows that shepherding involves direct accountability. Neglect brings divine discipline (James 3:1). Supporting Passages for Faithful Shepherding • Ezekiel 34:11–16 – God models gathering, feeding, and binding up the injured. • John 10:11–15 – The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. • Acts 20:28 – Overseers must “be on guard… to shepherd the church of God.” • 1 Peter 5:1–4 – Shepherd willingly, eagerly, by example, awaiting the Chief Shepherd’s reward. Takeaway Jeremiah 23:2 frames shepherding as a sacred trust: maintain unity, guide gently, feed faithfully, protect diligently, and mirror God’s compassionate oversight, knowing that the Chief Shepherd holds every under-shepherd accountable. |
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