“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jeremiah 23:5)
Jeremiah wrote about the King of Judah and his officials, labeling them as shepherds. We should never label our elected government officials as the Lord’s shepherds even though they are called by the Lord to promote righteousness, truth, and justice. Unfortunately, many have ceased to follow His Law, have elevated the law of the land over it. What is worse, as in ancient Israel, many promote the pursuit of happiness as the right for people to they please. They have abandoned His mandate, mislead those they are called to serve, and have invited His judgement.
That judgement was going to on the King of Judah as well as his appointed priests, officials and lackeys. Although they had consulted Jeremiah for Godly advice, they did not like what he had to say. Therefore they consulted other prophets who told them what they wanted to hear, those things that made them feel better, who did not chastise them for their sinfulness nor threaten them with God’s judgment. Jeremiah condemned these false shepherds. These men were in charge of God’s people, but they failed to serve Him or set a good example.
That good news of the gospel is that the true Shepherd of God’s flock is Jesus. He has appointed His own shepherds to feed the flock of God, the Church, as well as to proclaim God’s word to the world, to warn sinners of the fearful judgment they are facing from God Almighty. He judges sin but extends mercy. Today this gospel message goes out from many churches, but many people do not want to hear it because they do not want to be told they are sinners. They do not want to be told they need to repent, forsake their idols, materialism, sensuality, and false religions, sexual immorality, or be loving to their fellow human beings. Thus when we Christians preach the exclusive nature of salvation through faith in Jesus alone, when we testify to the sinful nature of all human beings, we are criticized and condemned as intolerant. Consequently, many Christian leaders, false shepherds, have caved to the public pressure to apologize for such statements, have compromised the truth, have watered down the gospel. Christians should stand fast against lies, wickedness and idolatry. After all, we are to warn sinners to flee from destruction. As we warn them of God’s judgment, however, we must also tell them of His grace by presenting them the means of salvation that He offers: faith in Christ Jesus.