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the ultimate shepherd

Jeremiah 23:1-8 (JDV)

Jeremiah 23:1 “Tragedy to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:2 “Therefore, this is what Yahveh, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend my people: You have scattered my flock, banished them, and have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you because of our evil acts” – this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:3 “I will gather the remainder of my flock from all the lands where I have banished them, and I will return them to their grazing land. They will become fruitful and numerous.

Jeremiah 23:4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. They will no longer be afraid or discouraged, nor will any be missing.” this is what Yahveh declares.

Jeremiah 23:5 “Look, the days are coming” – this is what Yahveh declares – “when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. This is the name he will be called: Yahveh Is Our Righteousness.

Jeremiah 23:7 “Look, the days are coming” – what Yahveh declares – “when it will no longer be said, ‘As Yahveh lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’

Jeremiah 23:8 but, ‘As Yahveh lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other countries where I had banished them.’ They will dwell once more in their own land.”

the ultimate shepherd

We often refer to this passage in the context of pastoral responsibility. we are encouraged to be good shepherds who bring the flock together, rather than scatter and abuse it for our own purposes. It does have a distant connection to that idea, but it is important to understand that the shepherds Jeremiah were referring to were kings. That is why his prophecy of the Righteous Branch for David is found here. Jesus will be the shepherd who unites and nourishes God’s flock.

Lord, thank you for the Righteous Branch for David – your good shepherd.

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