Jeremiah: The Righteous Branch
Jeremiah 23:1-8
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
“So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”
While living in exile, it was easy to feel like God had abandoned his people. Everyone was desperate for hope, for someone who would lead the Israelites back to their homeland and a sense of peace and stability once again. This desperation allowed many false leaders and prophets to raise up, people who cared more about gaining status, wealth and power than about being faithful to God. These shepherds are destroying and scattering the flock rather than caring for the sheep in their time of need. And into this reality God speaks words of punishment for the shepherds and comfort for the sheep. God promises to raise up a just and righteous ruler, a branch from David’s line, who will create safety and remove fear.
The world remains full of those who strive to lead, but whose motivations often mixed at best. In situations of fear and despair, we are also yearning for a leader who will bring safety, peace and freedom. The words of Jeremiah remind us that if we put all our hope in worldly leaders, we’re likely to be disappointed. And for those who are already feeling destroyed and scattered by earthly powers and authorities, God speaks the same hope to us as he spoke to the Israelites. A day will come, declares the Lord, when Christ will rule and all will be set right, when fear will be no more, and love will be the law of the land.
Prayer:
Pray for those who are in leadership roles (at your work, school, church, government etc.). Ask God to give them wisdom and compassion to lead well. Pray for those that you have influence over and ask God to help you lead by pointing others to Jesus. If you are feeling hurt or frustrated by leaders you know, share your feelings with God and remember God’s promise to set things right.