While there is no promise of restoration for the kings, there is for the people (see Jeremiah 4:27), because they had been led astray by their rulers.Have driven them - The evil shepherds drove the people into exile by leading them into sin: and God by inflicting punishment.Their folds - Or, their pastures. read more
Shepherds - Men like Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Maccabees, raised up especially by God. It is a revocation of the promise made to David 2 Samuel 7:12-16 so far as the earthly throne was concerned.They shall fear no more ... - The effect of good government will be general security.Neither shall they be lacking - Not one sheep shall be missing or lost. read more
Jeremiah 23:2-4 . Therefore thus saith the Lord against the pastors that feed my people That undertake the care of my people, though they do not faithfully execute their trust. God calls them his people, his flock, the sheep of his pasture, with respect to the ancient covenant which he had made with their fathers. They are said to have fed this people, because it was their duty to have done so. Ye have scattered my flock Namely, by acts of violence and oppression, driving them from... read more
Return from captivity (23:1-8)Judah’s political leaders are likened to shepherds over a flock, but instead of caring for the sheep they have exploited them. They are the ones chiefly responsible for driving God’s flock into captivity, and therefore God will punish them (23:1-2). Even in a foreign country, however, the flock still belongs to God. He does not forget his people, but will bring them back to their homeland and give them good leaders (3-4).As a new branch shoots from the stump of a... read more
I will gather, &c. Compare Jeremiah 31:10 ; Jeremiah 32:7 . Ezekiel 34:13 , &c. read more
3, 4. Restoration of Judah from Babylon foretold in language which in its fulness can only apply to the final restoration of both "Judah" and "Israel" (compare Jeremiah 23:6); also "out of all countries," in this verse and Jeremiah 23:6- :; also, "neither shall they be lacking," that is, none shall be missing or detached from the rest: a prophecy never yet fully accomplished. It holds good also of the spiritual Israel, the elect of both Jews and Gentiles (Malachi 3:16; Malachi 3:17; John 10:28;... read more
Promises about the future of the Davidic line and the people 23:1-8"After the oracles against wicked kings, there is a promise of a righteous one, the Shoot of David." [Note: Graybill, p. 673.] Jeremiah just announced that none of Coniah’s descendants would ever rule as kings. Now he went on to clarify that a Davidic King would rule in the future. God was not cutting off the Davidic line (cf. 2 Samuel 7:14). This section consists of three separate, though related, prophecies (Jeremiah 23:1-8). read more
After this judgment the Lord Himself would, as a good shepherd, re-gather the remnant of His people that were left from all the countries where He had driven them into exile (cf. Jeremiah 3:16; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 31:10; Jeremiah 40-44; Isaiah 1:9; Isaiah 37:4; Micah 2:12; Micah 4:7; Micah 5:4; Micah 7:14; Micah 7:18). The Lord was the final cause of the exile, but the shepherds of Judah were the instrumental cause (Jeremiah 23:2). He would bring them back into the Promised Land and cause... read more
The Lord also promised to raise up shepherds (leaders) for His people, in the great future restoration, who would care for them properly (cf. Jeremiah 3:15). The Israelites would finally no longer feel fearful or terrified, and none of them would be missing from the land. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:4
And I will set up shepherds ; e.g. rulers, not necessarily kings (see on next verse). Which shall feed them . For the evil shepherds "fed themselves, and fed not my flock" ( Ezekiel 34:8 ). And they shall fear no more. Ezekiel again contributes an essential feature to the description. The neglect of the shepherds left the flock exposed to the ravages of wild beasts ( Ezekiel 34:8 ). Neither shall they be lacking . A speaking phrase. Too many of the sheep had fallen down... read more