Jeremiah 25:35
Flight will evade the shepherds, and escape will elude the leaders of the flock.
Flight will evade the shepherds
In the context of Jeremiah 25, the shepherds symbolize the leaders of Judah, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding the people spiritually and politically. The imagery of shepherds is common in the Bible, often representing those in authority (Ezekiel 34:2-10). The phrase indicates that these leaders will be unable to flee from the impending judgment that God is bringing upon them through the Babylonian invasion. This reflects the broader theme of divine retribution for failing to lead the people in righteousness and truth. The inability to escape signifies the certainty and inescapability of God's judgment.

and escape will elude the leaders of the flock
The leaders of the flock refer to the same group of people as the shepherds, emphasizing their role in guiding the nation. The term "flock" often represents the people of Israel (Psalm 95:7). The use of "escape" being elusive underscores the totality of the coming disaster; no human wisdom or strategy can avert the divine decree. This echoes the warnings given by other prophets, such as Isaiah and Ezekiel, about the consequences of disobedience and idolatry (Isaiah 30:15-17, Ezekiel 7:15-18). The leaders' failure to protect the flock is a type of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11), contrasting human failure with divine faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations. His ministry spanned over 40 years during a tumultuous period in Israel's history.

2. Shepherds
In this context, the shepherds symbolize the leaders of Judah, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding the people spiritually and politically.

3. Leaders of the Flock
This phrase refers to the same group as the shepherds, emphasizing their role in leading and protecting the people, who are metaphorically described as the flock.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment and exile due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.

5. Babylonian Exile
The event that Jeremiah prophesied, where the Babylonians would conquer Judah, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the captivity of its people.
Teaching Points
Accountability of Leaders
Leaders are accountable to God for their actions and the spiritual well-being of those they lead. The failure of the shepherds in Jeremiah's time serves as a warning to all leaders today.

Consequences of Disobedience
Persistent disobedience and failure to heed God's warnings lead to judgment. This is a call for repentance and turning back to God.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human failure, God's plans and purposes will prevail. He remains in control and will ultimately shepherd His people Himself.

Hope in Christ
While human leaders may fail, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides perfect guidance and care for His flock.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the shepherds in Jeremiah 25:35 reflect the responsibilities of leaders in the church today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not like the shepherds who failed their flock? Consider practical steps for accountability and spiritual growth.

3. How does the theme of failed leadership in Jeremiah connect with Jesus' teachings in John 10 about the Good Shepherd?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of disobedience. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's justice and mercy?

5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's sovereignty, especially when human leaders fail us? Consider other scriptures that reinforce this truth.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezekiel 34
This chapter also addresses the failure of Israel's shepherds (leaders) and God's promise to be the true shepherd for His people.

John 10
Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, contrasting His leadership with that of the failed shepherds of Israel.

Zechariah 11
This passage speaks of the breaking of the covenant and the failure of the shepherds, similar to the themes in Jeremiah.
The Vision of Final JudgmentA.F. Muir Jeremiah 25:30-38
People
Amon, Babylonians, Buz, Dedan, Elam, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Tema, Zidon, Zimri
Places
Ammon, Arabia, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Babylon, Buz, Dedan, Edom, Egypt, Ekron, Elam, Gaza, Jerusalem, Media, Moab, Sidon, Tema, Tyre, Uz, Zimri
Topics
Chiefs, Escape, Flee, Flight, Flock, Honourable, Keepers, Leaders, Lords, Masters, Noble, Nowhere, Ones, Perish, Perished, Principal, Refuge, Road, Safely, Sheep, Shepherds
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 25:34-36

     7130   flock, God's

Library
Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition.
(Peræa, or Judæa, Near the Jordan.) ^A Matt. XX. 17-28; ^B Mark X. 32-45; ^C Luke XVIII. 31-34. ^b 32 And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem [Dean Mansel sees in these words an evidence that Jesus had just crossed the Jordan and was beginning the actual ascent up to Jerusalem. If so, he was in Judæa. But such a construction strains the language. Jesus had been going up to Jerusalem ever since he started in Galilee, and he may now have still be in Peræa. The parable
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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