Jeremiah 23:1-2

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” vs. 1

The prophets regularly spoke of the kings of Judah and Israel as shepherds, and now Jeremiah takes his turn at lambasting their cruel and divisive oversight. The Lord who is the true Shepherd of the sheep had entrusted the kings with his flock and they had, with the possible exception of David, failed miserably. Almost all the people of Israel and Judah had ended up in exile, far away  from what had been the Promised Land. But Israel isn’t the only country that has suffered from inept and corrupt leaders. It’s been a perennial problem for all the people of God. Every nation needs shepherds who will guide them on the paths of righteousness, and too often arrogant and self-serving despots take control. When that happens chaos ensues and corruption abounds. Thank God for prophets in the lineage of Jeremiah who call them out and speak on behalf of the oppressed. By speaking the truth to those who are in power they expose the great wrongs that are being done. They give hope to the broken and lay the groundwork for the arrival of new shepherds, ones who will lift up the lowly and provide food for the hungry and protection for the poor. 

Thought for the Day: How is the shepherd of our nation doing?