God’s Promised Gathering of the Destroyed and Scattered Remnant

Jeremiah 23:3-4

How many of us believe that nothing goes on without God’s foreknowledge and allowance? Yes, God knows beforehand; He’s omniscient; however, because of man’s free-will moral agent status, we choose disobedience or obedience. He is sovereign, and it is His predestined will that we should have eternal life through belief in His son Jesus Christ, but He never forces Himself on us. Disobedience is sin, separation from God; “the wages of sin is death.” Obedience is abiding in the righteousness of God; “the gift of God is eternal life.” The faithless pastors destroyed and scattered God’s people, and on behalf of God Jeremiah pronounced their indictment – “Woe to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture” (23:1)!

After the prophecy of indictment, the Lord promises hope to His neglected people. “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply” (23:3).  God says that He will gather the remnant of His flock out of all the countries “where I have driven them.” He announced punishment on the pastors for destroying and scattering His sheep because of their evil and irresponsible leadership. His people were driven from the safety of their sheepfold, resulting in their dispersion and captivity because of their persistent disobedience. Now God says “where I have driven them” to assure us that nothing happens without His foreknowledge and allowance. After all, He is our Creator, giving Him full ownership of us for His good pleasure. He continues offering them hope of restoration; “I will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.” His chosen people were blessed to be in His favor as we are too.

“I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, says the Lord” (23:4). Because the pastors failed to care for God’s people pre-exile, He promised that when he gathered the destroyed and scattered remnant home again, He would set up shepherds over them who would feed them physically and spiritually. Jeremiah continued the prophecy of the Lord, saying that when He gathered them home they will fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking.  “…for they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:10b). We are His people and have the assurance from God that He will take care of us. How good and gracious our Almighty Father is!