Israel
Jeremiah 23:1-4
Jeremiah · ~600 BC · Status: Future · Confidence: 60%
“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.”
King James Version · the opening — all 4 verses are below
God promising to give Israel faithful shepherds after the failures of past leaders, pointing to Christ the Good Shepherd.
Read the whole passage — all 4 verses (KJV)
23:1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
23:2Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
23:3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
23:4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Fulfillment References
John 10:11 Ezekiel 34:23 1 Peter 5:4
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalAgainst the false shepherds who scatter the flock, God promises to gather His sheep and 'set up shepherds over them which shall feed them' — and the next verses name the Branch, the righteous King (23:5-6). The true Shepherd is the Lord Jesus, the good Shepherd (John 10:11) and chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4); God Himself came to shepherd His scattered flock (Ezek. 34:23).
JewishA woe on the failed leaders who scattered the flock, and God's promise to regather His people and raise up faithful shepherds; leading into the Branch oracle.
CatholicThe Good Shepherd, Christ, and the under-shepherds He appoints, gathering the scattered flock (John 10; 21).
ProtestantGod's judgment on false shepherds and His provision of faithful ones, fulfilled in Christ the Shepherd (John 10:11).
AcademicA shepherd-leadership oracle prefacing the Davidic 'Branch' promise (23:5-6); the shepherd metaphor for rulers is standard.
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