Week 9: The Messiah Who Shepherds Jeremiah 23 Hook Main Point: Living in the promises of the righteous Branch, Jesus Christ, guards against false teachers and grants grace to proclaim the Gospel faithfully. Countless children have been raised hearing the wonderful stories of Aesop s fables. Stories such as The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Tortoise and the Hare, or The Lion and the Mouse may come to mind. While all those have important moral guidance, The Boy Who Cried Wolf supplies a valuable lesson on telling the truth and the folly of deceiving others out of selfishness. In summary, there is a boy shepherd who continually tricks a village into believing a wolf has come to eat his sheep. He cries out for help, and each time the village rushes to his aid. However, each time he cries out in false alarm. The boy finds this exercise humorous while the townspeople grow annoyed and frustrated. It is humorous for the boy shepherd until a real wolf comes, and even though he cries out for help, no one comes to his rescue. Instead, the wolf eats all the sheep, and in some versions, the boy shepherd, too. In a similar way, the false prophets of Jeremiah 23, likened to shepherds in the early verses of this chapter, weave deceptive tales of comfort and peace, misleading the people of Judah. They
claim to speak for the Lord, but only speak for themselves. They claim God s words of judgment from Jeremiah are wrong and there are only good times ahead for the people. Much like the boy shepherd in Aesop s fable, there is a terrible fate awaiting the false prophets of Judah who lie and mislead God s people. Not unlike the wolf, God s wrath will soon come to consume them. What s your favorite Aesop s fable or children s story? Why? If you could write your own fable or moral story, what would you want to portray? Why?
Week 9: The Messiah Who Shepherds Jeremiah 23 Book Main Point: Living in the promises of the righteous Branch, Jesus Christ, guards against false teachers and grants grace to proclaim the Gospel faithfully. Text Summary: Jeremiah 23 Jeremiah has some strong words for Judah. The false prophets and priests misleading the people will face sure judgment. Yet, God s people live in the promise of a coming righteous Branch who will rule in justice. Rest in God s promises to guard against the deceptive teaching of false prophets and to speak the truths of God s Word no matter the circumstances. Jeremiah 23:1 8 [Read] Sub-Point: Jesus gathers us by His grace to guide and protect us. Throughout Jeremiah 11 29, we find the repeated theme of Judah s leaders, such as kings, false prophets, and court officials, rejecting Jeremiah s message from God. 1 In the beginning of Jeremiah 23 specifically, we read God s reply to the perpetual rejection of Judah and Judah s leadership. Jeremiah likens the leaders to shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock of Judah, a people God has chosen as His covenant people (v. 1). As Jeremiah describes it, instead of promoting the life and well-being of God s people, the leaders only bring death and destruction. Instead of guarding and keeping God s flock, the wicked leaders scatter them, making the sheep easy prey. 2 In verses 2 4, God outlines His plan to remove the wicked shepherds and replace them with other shepherds who will care for the people. Those who violate God s law will not go unpunished. Leaders who abuse their power and prestige will not go unpunished but will experience God s righteous wrath (v. 2). Yet, a remnant will be preserved. Much like Isaiah s usage, the remnant mentioned in verse 3 refers to the people of God who are sustained and preserved through the coming judgment, serving as the foundation for rebuilding and restoring God s people. 3 The remnant may look forward expectantly to a day when they are well cared for, safe, and at peace (v. 4). The ultimate expression of God s enduring faithfulness comes with the advent of the righteous Branch who springs out of the line of David (v. 5). As Jeremiah proclaims, this leader fulfills God s promises for a wise and righteous king who rules forever, executing God s righteousness and justice in the world. When this king comes, all God s people will experience the security and blessing that has eluded them in exile (v. 6). The upheaval and instability known in this 1 Hays, Jeremiah and Lamentations, 163. 2 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 160. 3 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 160.
period of history would have cultivated a deep longing for security in both Jeremiah and the entire nation of Judah. To such thirsty, desperate hearts, who have languished under wicked rulers, these words of promise would offer sweet relief. It is very easy for us today to see Jesus as the fulfillment of these promises as we receive and believe the New Testament accounts of Jesus, the Son of David (cf. Matthew 1; Romans 1:3; Revelation 22:16). However, the original listener would have likely searched for this promise to be fulfilled in a mere human ruler or king. It seems Jeremiah seeks to undermine any such confusion by using the name The Lord our Righteousness in verse 6. Jeremiah s usage seems to strike a contrast between King Zedekiah, whose name means righteousness of the Lord, and a yet future king who comes with unique blessing, one uniquely favored by God. 4 This coming king will embody the full righteousness and justice of God. Verses 7 8 conclude with a parallel between the exodus from Egypt and the post-exilic return of God s people as a way of illustrating how ultimate security cannot be linked with lands, buildings, temples, or earthly possessions. Furthermore, the reign of the righteous Branch cannot be hindered by geographic location or exile. Instead, God plans to draw His people together into a place of security and peace, namely, renewed relationship with God in this life and the next, granted through the righteous Branch Himself, Jesus Christ. What qualities do you respect in a leader? Why? What qualities in a leader cause you serious concern? Why? What leaders do people today look to most often for peace and security? According to Jeremiah, where should we look and why? Jeremiah 23:9-22 [Read] Sub-Point: Jesus guards us from false teachers and Satan s lies. Jeremiah 23:9 starts a new section building on the promise of the coming Branch of David found in verses 6 8. This section reveals some strong condemnation of the false prophets in Judah. Instead of thriving under the protection of the true, just Branch of David, Judah lives under the influence of false, corrupt leaders. After revealing the sweet promise of a future king, Jeremiah s laments of the present state of Judah take on an even sadder tone. Verses 9 10 reveal just how deeply Jeremiah mourns for the people. Jeremiah s heart hurts for the people, yet he cannot ignore or alter the divine message he is about to reveal (v. 9). He seems to long to offer a message of peace but must faithfully communicate a message of divine judgment. Just as in Jeremiah 20:9, his lament reflects the power of God s message over body 4 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 160; Derek Kidner, The Message of Jeremiah (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1987), 90.
and soul. Jeremiah s heart breaks and the very bones of his body shake under the awesome weight of the prophetic word he bears (v. 9). Like a drunken man who suffers the loss of selfcontrol under the influence of strong alcohol, so Jeremiah cannot resist God s power over him, speaking under God s direction and not his own independent volition. Jeremiah s loss of selfdirection may seem to be an indictment against his message but actually stands as a condemnation of the self-righteous, false prophets who speak only out of their own power rather than speaking with God s authority (vv. 21 22). Instead of a land full of bounty and blessing under the righteous Branch of David, wicked leaders cause the land to languish in sorrow, like a dry land longing for the life-bringing rain (v. 10). Rather than a land filled with righteousness and justice, the land overflows with evil. Jeremiah points out adultery not simply as an indication of individual people who break marriage covenant vows but as an overall description of Judah s covenant unfaithfulness to God. 5 The faithless in the land go as far as to bring their evil desires and practices into the temple and temple worship itself (v. 11). Prophets and priests hold a unique calling to lead and guide the people in proper relationship with God, yet Jeremiah laments how such spiritual guides use the most holy place (the temple) to work the most evil deeds (v. 11). 6 Because of such sinful choices, God promises swift, unexpected judgment on the wicked (v. 12). Jeremiah likens the false prophet s fall to the unanticipated fall of someone walking down a slippery path. As is common in the Hebrew language, he uses the dual metaphors of slippery paths and darkness to reinforce the strong guarantee of the wicked s downfall. 7 Much like the Proverbs, life is a path every person walks. The wicked walk a path to sure destruction while the righteous walk a path leading to life and peace (cf. Proverbs 10:16; 11:21; 16:4). Furthermore, Jeremiah reveals that the false prophets of Jerusalem commit a double sin not even practiced by the prophets of Baal. In verse 13, God confirms that He sees and condemns the false prophets of Baal, those who prophesy in the name of a false god and seek to lead people away from the one, true God and into idolatry. Yet, in verse 14, God reveals that the prophets in Jerusalem participate in greater iniquity as they commit adultery and walk in lies, living as those who break faith with God while still claiming to speak for God. Jeremiah reveals the shocking condemnation that Jerusalem is now like Sodom and Gomorrah, those cities most identified with wickedness and sin. What is worse for the people, the false prophets in Judah are not simply inadequate or lazy leaders. These wicked spiritual guides actively corrupt the people (v. 14 15), leading the nation into places of danger and destruction. Rather than correcting bad behavior, the evil leaders reinforce the wickedness already practiced by the people, possibly even encouraging more and more sin in order to justify their own wicked lifestyle. 8 In response, God must judge the false 5 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 162. 6 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 162. 7 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 163. 8 Hays, Jeremiah and Lamentations, 171.
prophets for their sin (v 15). God calls the people to ignore the deceptive message of the false prophets; false prophets who deny the coming judgment from God (v. 16), realizing such a message cannot come from God. As a matter of fact, the deceptive prophets directly contradict God s message sent through Jeremiah, a message revealing judgment on the sins of Judah (vv. 16 17). In verse 18, God asks a rhetorical question about the source of authority claimed by the false prophets. God has not spoken to anyone but Jeremiah and any claims of peace are false. Instead of listening in on God s council, the false prophets stand in a place where they will receive devastating judgment (vv. 18 19). God s judgment falls sure and quick on their heads, bringing terrible consequences. Jeremiah s use of council of the Lord indicates a place of intimacy, a place shared by close confidants. 9 The true prophets like Jeremiah participate in such intimate knowledge, but the false prophets merely fake their knowledge. Rather than the message of peace or prosperity proclaimed by false prophets, God reveals a coming storm (v. 19). Rather than a message of delay or avoidance, God reveals an unavoidable future (v. 20). As if it were not clear up to this point, God flatly states these false prophets do not reveal His messages because their lives are wicked (v. 21). True prophets live a particular way of life, a life of faithfulness and righteousness under covenant responsibilities. Those who experience God s presence are forever changed. Much like Isaiah s experience in Isaiah 6 and Jeremiah s burning heart in verse 9, true prophets faithfully proclaim God s word and righteously walk in God s ways (v. 22). Much more than any human prophet, Jesus reveals God to His people (John 17:25 26) and lives as a righteous Savior who lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22). While God once spoke through human prophets, He speaks definitively through his Son (Heb. 1:1). Even as Judah struggled under the deceptive abuse of false prophets, Jeremiah s promise of a righteous ruler stood out as a source of power and sweetness to God s people, the remnant who will return to the land (vv. 5 7). In Jesus, the Branch of David, we now receive the fulfillment of these promises. The promise of a righteous, just king comes to fulfillment in the person and work of Christ (1 John 1:21). What kinds of lies or false worship tempt God s people today? How are we guilty of mixing true and false worship? How does the Gospel of Jesus Christ guard us against the temptations or false teaching we may hear today? What does God s Word reveal as the only source of peace and comfort? How does this change the way we understand the promises we hear from the world around us? 9 Hays, Jeremiah and Lamentations, 171.
Jeremiah 23:23 32 [Read] Sub-Point: Jesus stands as the only way of salvation and the true fulfillment of all God s promises. It is impossible to hide from God, and only through following His way can we receive the full promises of God. Our God is neither too far removed from human life to identify with us nor is He too close to us to suffer from the same weaknesses and flaws (vv. 23 24). God s nearness serves as a source of peace to the righteous as well as a source of shame for the wicked. God hears the lies of the false prophets; He knows the deceit bound up in their hearts (v. 25). In fact, while it seems false prophets will always be in the land, God s sure judgment will fall like a fiery hammer bringing final destruction to the wicked (v. 23, 26). God s greatness encourages the righteous to respond in humble worship but overwhelms the prideful that stand in hardened rebellion (v. 24; cf. Psalm 57:11). Jeremiah s declaration of a God both close and far away stands as a judgment against those claiming to speak for God. Few would be so bold to speak lies about another person who was standing right beside them. Yet, these prophets deny God s presence and indict themselves before the ever-present God of the universe. Even more, the false prophets are not even being that creative, as they are repeating the same unsuccessful sins of generations before them (v. 27). It is useless to resist or stand against God. The only reasonable response to God s message of judgment is seeking His path of salvation through repentance and faith. In contrast to the false oracles that totally deny God s coming judgment or punishment for the people s rebellion, Jeremiah looks to God s sure promises of security and salvation for strength even in the midst of exile (vv. 28 29). In fact, God s message through Jeremiah sets a stark contrast between the deceptive oracles of the false prophets and the true word of the Lord. Like two completely different plants, God s true, powerful word destroys the false prophecies like a hammer breaks the rocks in pieces (vv. 28 29). Verses 30 32 conclude this section with a three-fold declaration of God s stance against the false prophets and against those who corrupt God s words. First, God stands against those who use borrowed clichés and steal corrupt messages that seem to convey God s divine message to the people (v. 30). 10 Regardless of how hard we try, no human message, however winsome or compelling, can replace true revelation. Furthermore, if we are constantly chasing the next fashionable version of Christian spirituality, we may find ourselves mistreating both God s message and God s messengers. As Jeremiah reveals, God stands against those who corrupt God s word and counterfeit God s message. Second, God stands against those who falsely claim their words come from God (v. 31). Simply claiming divine authority does not make it true regardless of position or prestige. Even today, we must guard against simply believing people or positions that claim the name of our God. 10 Kidner, The Message of Jeremiah, 92.
Finally, God stands against those who misuse God s means in order to accomplish their own purposes (v. 32). In the Old Testament, dreams offered a legitimate means for God to communicate His message in the world such as Joseph s dreams and Daniel s dreams. However, the false prophets of Jeremiah s day hijacked the legitimacy of dreams and visions for their own sinful purposes. Rather than real visions, these false prophets lied about their visions, deceptively claiming divine insight and corrupting the people. God s nearness and greatness are no better expressed than in the person of Jesus Christ. He is fully God and fully man, the fullness of God in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). Jesus embodies the reliable declaration of God s revelation of judgment on sin and salvation for God s people (Romans 10:5 15). The disunity of message and lifestyle criticized by Jeremiah finds perfect fulfillment in the Word become flesh (John 1:14), as the perfect Son of God fulfills all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17 20). Quite simply, a true encounter with the presence of God can only come from a true encounter with the Word of God. 11 How do people claim we can receive true knowledge of God or a deeper spirituality? Why do you think it is difficult for us to believe in God as both near to us and far away from us? Why is it important to hold both in tension? Jeremiah 23:33-40 [Read] Sub-Point: God s revealed will must never be changed or adapted to our personal preferences or we will face God s wrath. The final movement in this chapter solidifies God s contempt for the wicked and lays special emphasis on the consequences of altering the words of God. Furthermore, because of the unity of God s presence and God s words revealed in Jesus Christ, we risk altering the Gospel itself when we tinker with the Scriptures. Jeremiah s warning still rings true today as we face increased social or cultural pressures to change the fundamental truths of Scripture. Much like a classroom or counseling session, God provides a two-step guide for Jeremiah, and by extension every faithful listener, in answering the false prophets in Israel. In verses 33 37, Jeremiah receives instruction on answering the questions of others. In verses 38 40, Jeremiah receives a warning against providing any further announcements or declarations outside of exactly what God has instructed. Both counts provide a clear warning to God s people, a warning affirming both the sanctity of divine revelation and the seriousness of false teaching. As well, the use of burden throughout this section might also be translated as oracle but the meaning shifts partway through the passage to more directly reflect a kind of physical thing to be moved or carried about. 12 In this way, the divine oracle rises above any sense of a mere 11 Hays, Jeremiah and Lamentations, 172. 12 Kidner, The Message of Jeremiah, 92 93.
intellectual or intangible concept and into a physical thing to be held and received in totality by the whole person. Jeremiah wants to draw away from the sense that words do not matter or that a spoken message somehow escapes punishment as it leaves a person s lips. Much like James in the New Testament, Jeremiah s implication reflects the immense power of the spoken word to bring life or death (cf. James 3:1 12). Further, this context references God s powerful word, bringing singular significance to the weight of the words or message communicated. Verse 33 offers a kind of sarcastic response to any person who might ask about Jeremiah about a message from the Lord. Because of the larger context and negative response, the one asking the question likely refers to the false prophets and priests who are particularly responsible for the poor spiritual condition of the nation. 13 When inquiring about the word (literally burden ) of the Lord, Jeremiah is to reply that there is no burden but the real weight carried by the people is the false prophets and priests (v. 33). However, the burden of the false prophets and priests is soon to be cast off by God Himself. Any who persist in this false teaching even after this warning bear the consequences of their actions, consequences bringing severe judgments with far-reaching consequences (vv. 34 35). Greater still, man s deception brings God s silence (v. 36 37). In the midst of such political and social turmoil, a time when people cry out to God for answers, divine silence is deafening. This chapter closes with one final warning, not for the wicked prophets and priests, but for Jeremiah. God warns Jeremiah against altering or changing the tone and message revealed to him (v. 38 29). If Jeremiah is tempted to bring a message beyond what God has revealed, the punishment will be swift and sure. As if it wasn t enough for God to promise everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, God underlines and highlights the point by stating the shame and reproach will never be forgotten (v. 40). We are never authorized to alter or amend God s revealed will to the world, even if that changed message seems more fitting to fit the time, season, and setting of our day. Along with Jeremiah, we risk individual and communal ruin in our personal life and church life if we walk that path. What ways are we tempted to water down or change the truths of the Gospel today? Can you provide any examples of a culturally acceptable or politically correct Gospel? Why do some people feel the need to change the message of Jesus today? How can we guard against altering the simple truths of Scripture in the face of increased social or cultural pressures? 13 Longman III, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 165.
Week 9: The Messiah Who Shepherds Jeremiah 23 Took Main Point: Living in the promises of the righteous Branch, Jesus Christ, guards against false teachers and grants grace to proclaim the Gospel faithfully. Much like the boy who cried wolf, the false prophets in Judah faced a terrible fate. Not unlike that fable, the sheep and the shepherd both faced judgment. Yet, unlike Aesop s fable, God s people received a promise that a future king, the righteous Branch of David, would come to rescue and redeem the people. Rather than sinners facing deserved wrath, God s chosen one would take our sin and death. Instead of death, Jesus granted us righteousness and life. Consider a few ways to live out the truths of God s Word today. Challenges Live in the truth. The false prophets in Jeremiah s day claimed to speak for God. Yet, they spoke deceptive, self-serving messages intended to increase their own prestige. Even today, we encounter teachers or group who claim the name of Jesus or claim to preach the Word of God. We must work hard to study the Scriptures, pray for the Spirit s guidance, seek out the counsel of wise, trusted Christians, and learn sound doctrine in order to guard ourselves against making false claims in the name of Jesus. We are not immune to being led into bad doctrine. Yet, God makes a way to preserve His people through the Spirit s presence, the Church s community, and the Scripture s power. Listen to God s warnings. We like to believe we grow beyond the God s warnings. We want to believe that new life in Christ removes all temptation to overstep our authority or rebel against God. Yet, that s exactly what we do when change God s message or modify the Gospel to our liking. We never outgrow the stern warnings against perverting the Gospel. We all struggle to fully comprehend or communicate God s wonderful gifts in Christ. Miscommunicating the message is one thing, but misleading a person is another thing. Walk closely to Christ and surrender each day to the truths of the Gospel. Rehearse the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus in order to remind yourself of the foundations of the Christian faith. We must walk in fellowship with others, talking about God s Word and allowing others to correct us when we don t speak the truth. Pray for God s Spirit to continue to guide your tongue to rightly proclaim God s Word.