Jeremiah 23:1-8

The words before us should be read in the context of the Lord’s announcement that no man of the seed of Coniah (Jehoiachin) would rule from the throne of David (Jer. 22:30). Approximately four hundred years previously, the Lord had promised David that He (the Lord) would establish the kingdom of a king who would be of David’s seed whose kingdom and throne shall be forever. The promised king who would establish that kingdom would not be of the seed of Coniah who was of the seed of David. The promised kingdom and king were far future to the promise God made to David and future to the rule of Coniah.

“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep” (v. 1). Pastors are keepers and leaders of the sheep. The pastors who had destroyed and scattered the sheep of God’s pasture were the spiritual and civil leaders of Judah whose leadership was cause for Nebuchadnezzar to carry Jews captive to Babylon. The warning, however, is directed to all pastors who would ever cause the sheep of God’s pasture to be scattered. The Lord’s judgment upon these pastors is future and shall fall upon all who would ever cause the sheep of His pasture to be destroyed or scattered.

“And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries . . .” (v. 3). The message which the Lord gave to Jeremiah to deliver was not given such that men might acquire increased head knowledge. God is speaking to an audience which needs to hear His message and respond to it. This audience includes the remnant which God shall gather. Those who are gathered need to know that their return to the land was something which did not just happen to happen. The remnant needs to know that it was God who gathered them into the land which He promised to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God wants the remnant to know that He is a keeper of His promises.

“. . . and they shall be fruitful and increase.” The remnant will be fruitful and will increase. The remnant will witness God fulfilling His every promise.

“And I will set up shepherds over them . . .” (v. 4). God wants the remnant to know that the shepherds who shall lead them at this future time were chosen by Him and shall be directed by Him. More on these shepherds later.

“Behold, the days come . . .” (v. 5). The time shall come when God shall raise unto David a righteous Branch. The Branch which God will raise unto David is righteous. The Branch is the King who shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. The promised Branch is the seed of David whose kingdom and throne shall be forever (II Sam. 7:16). The promised Branch is the seed of David who will build “an house for my name” (II Sam. 7:13).

New Testament believers know the righteous Branch that God raised unto David. We know the Son of David who lived a sinless life and gave His righteousness to David and to all who believe that God counts belief for righteousness (Gen. 15:6). We know the Son of David (the Branch) who is the builder of the house of God which house shall stand forever. We know the Son of David who has and shall “justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:11).

“In his days Judah shall be saved . . .” (v. 6). Judah shall be delivered from her earthly enemies (shall dwell in safety) and shall call the Branch, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Judah shall know the Branch as New Testament believers know the Branch. Israel shall no longer proclaim the living God who brought them out of the land of Egypt (v. 7). Israel shall proclaim the living God who brought her out of the north country and from all other countries to dwell in their own land (v. 8). The Lord God who brought Israel out of Egypt is the same Lord God who has gathered her from the north country and all other countries. Israel shall know the Lord God in a new and marvelous way. Again, Israel shall know the Branch as New Testament believers know the Branch.

Returning to verse 4. The shepherds who shall feed the remnant shall dish out food (spiritual understanding) that shall be cause for the remnant to know God in a new way. Israel shall be filled with spiritual food. It is the same food which has been and continues to be the cause by which all nations of the earth are blessed through Abraham (Gen. 12:3).

Jeremiah was given a message that was and is for the ears of the remnant which the Branch would bring out of the north country and all other countries but it is not for the ears of the remnant alone. New Testament believers look upon Israel of today and see a remnant that has prospered and increased. We do not, however, see the shepherds of which Jeremiah prophesied. We see a remnant which continues to say: “The Lord liveth, which brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” If these shepherds are the 144,000 whom the Lord shall seal (Rev. 7:4), they shall not begin to feed the sheep until the Lamb (the Branch) has opened the sixth seal (Rev. 6) of the book that no man can open or look upon (Rev. 5:3).

The Lord has revealed that which shall come because the Branch desires that we be ready when He returns. Until that time, let us love one another and tell others of His love. “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22:7).