Jeremiah 23

In every overall warning of judgement coming, there is always the promise of what God will do in spite of His people’s failings. There is always the promise to restore a remnant to the land and establish a standard of righteousness around and for them. It is hard to imagine that someone would not see a promise of Messiah in this chapter, and more specifically Jesus! He was a righteous Branch from David’s line and He would save His people and carry the fitting title of the Lord our Righteousness! And yet in the midst of this glimmer of hope, there is the reality of all that is wrong in those who should be helping God’s people follow Him. The shepherds are scattering the sheep, taking advantage of them rather than protecting them. And the prophets are using there office to benefit themselves and strengthen the hands of evildoers. They purport to be speaking for God, but they only tell the people what they want to hear. We will see if the prophets of our day speaking of restoration to godliness are speaking for God or themselves. But no one should claim to speak for God casually or for self promotion. Because they will just say false things as the prophets of Jeremiah’s day did. And Jeremiah’s mission was much like ours much of the time, saying things that are unpopular. Things people don’t want to hear as they are more satisfied to hear things that justify themselves and validate the ungodly course that they are on. May we live and speak in ways that represent our God and our Savior well! Especially if we are leaders!