Woe, Leaders, Who Destroy and Scatter God’s Sheep !

Jeremiah 23:1-2

In chapters 21:11- 22:30, God called repeatedly for justice and threatened judgment, but these corrupt leaders did not heed. After having issued a scathing indictment against Israel’s civic leaders Jeremiah prophesied a scathing indictment against the faithless religious leaders of Israel – the kings, prophets and priests. “Woe are to the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord” (23:1). Yes, it was God’s pasture, and His sheep; “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3c) as were the people of Israel. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words renders pastor “a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks (not merely one who feeds them), and is used metaphorically of Christian ‘pastors,’ Ephesians 4:11” ; therefore, pastors have the responsibility of not only feeding but of protecting, instructing, leading, encouraging, and etc. When the pastors, or shepherds, of Israel became faithless and corrupt, neglecting God’s people, He was not delighted the least. As God’s shepherds, who were political or spiritual leaders, their responsibility was caring for or overseeing His people, and they had failed.

‘Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, in regard to the shepherds who care for and feed My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; hear this, I am about to visit and attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” says the Lord’ (23:2, AMP). The ungodly leaders were self-absorbed, corrupt, and negligent of God’s people. He held them responsible for those entrusted to them; therefore, they were condemned to sorrow and misery. They were guilty of scattering God’s flock. Expository paraphrased from Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers says that the charge against the leaders was true both literally and spiritually. The people had been driven away from the fold  into exile in distant lands. The wicked rulers neglected God’s people, but He was not negligent and would visit them and attend to the evil of their deeds by reproof and chastisement. “Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!” (Ezekiel 13:3).