Jeremiah 23:4
I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.
I will raise up
The phrase "I will raise up" signifies God's sovereign initiative and intervention. In Hebrew, the verb "raise up" (קָם, qām) often implies establishing or appointing with authority. This reflects God's active role in providing leadership and guidance for His people. Historically, this can be seen as a promise of restoration and hope, contrasting with the failures of previous leaders. It underscores God's commitment to His covenant and His people, ensuring that they are not left without guidance.

shepherds
The term "shepherds" (רֹעִים, ro'im) is a metaphor for leaders or rulers. In ancient Near Eastern culture, kings and leaders were often depicted as shepherds of their people, responsible for their welfare and protection. Biblically, this imagery is rich, as it evokes the care, guidance, and protection that a shepherd provides for their flock. This promise of new shepherds suggests a future where leaders will genuinely care for the people, unlike the corrupt leaders criticized earlier in the chapter.

over them
The phrase "over them" indicates authority and responsibility. The shepherds are not just among the people but have a divinely appointed role to lead and protect. This reflects a hierarchical structure where God appoints leaders to guide His people according to His will. It emphasizes accountability and the expectation that these leaders will act in the best interest of those they oversee.

who will tend them
The phrase "who will tend them" (יְרָעוּם, yir'um) highlights the pastoral care and nurturing aspect of leadership. The Hebrew root רָעָה (ra'ah) means to pasture, tend, or shepherd. This implies a hands-on, caring approach, ensuring the well-being and growth of the flock. It contrasts with the neglect and exploitation by previous leaders, promising a future where the needs of the people are met with compassion and diligence.

and they will no longer be afraid
This promise of security, "and they will no longer be afraid" (וְלֹא־יִרְאוּ עוֹד, v'lo-yir'u 'od), addresses the emotional and psychological state of the people. Fear was a common experience due to the threats from external enemies and internal corruption. The removal of fear signifies a restoration of peace and stability, a return to a state of trust and confidence in their leaders and in God's protection.

or dismayed
The word "dismayed" (וְלֹא־יֵחָתוּ, v'lo-yechatu) conveys a sense of being shattered or broken. In the context of leadership, it suggests that the people will no longer be confused or demoralized by poor governance. This assurance of competent and caring leadership brings hope and encouragement, restoring the people's morale and sense of purpose.

nor will any go missing
The phrase "nor will any go missing" (וְלֹא־יִפָּקֵד, v'lo-yippaked) speaks to the completeness and attentiveness of the shepherds' care. The Hebrew root פָּקַד (paqad) can mean to miss, lack, or be unaccounted for. This promise ensures that every individual is valued and accounted for, reflecting God's inclusive and comprehensive care for His people. It reassures that under these new shepherds, no one will be neglected or lost.

declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" (נְאֻם־יְהוָה, ne'um-YHWH) is a prophetic formula emphasizing the authority and certainty of the message. It assures the audience that these promises are not mere human aspirations but divine commitments. This declaration underscores the faithfulness and reliability of God, who stands behind His word to fulfill it. It invites trust and confidence in God's plan for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by themes of repentance and restoration.

2. Shepherds
In this context, shepherds symbolize leaders or rulers appointed by God to guide and care for His people. The imagery of shepherds is often used in the Bible to describe those who have a responsibility to lead with integrity and compassion.

3. The People of Judah
The original audience of Jeremiah's prophecy, the people of Judah were experiencing political turmoil and spiritual decline. They were in need of godly leadership to restore them to faithfulness.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who promises to provide faithful leaders for His people. His declaration in this verse underscores His sovereignty and commitment to His people.

5. The Future Restoration
This event refers to the time when God will restore His people through righteous leadership, ultimately pointing to the coming of the Messiah, who is the Good Shepherd.
Teaching Points
God's Provision of Leadership
God promises to provide leaders who will care for His people. This reminds us to pray for and support godly leaders in our communities and churches.

Freedom from Fear
Under God’s appointed leadership, His people will no longer live in fear or dismay. This encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty and His plans for our lives.

The Role of Shepherds
Leaders in the church are called to be shepherds who tend to their flock with love and integrity. This challenges current leaders to reflect on their responsibilities and align with God’s standards.

The Ultimate Shepherd
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise to raise up a shepherd for His people. Believers are called to follow Him, knowing He provides security and guidance.

Restoration and Hope
God’s promise of restoration through righteous leadership offers hope to those who feel lost or abandoned. It assures us that God is actively working to restore and redeem His people.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of God raising up shepherds in Jeremiah 23:4 encourage you in your current situation?

2. In what ways can you support and pray for the leaders in your church or community to be godly shepherds?

3. How does understanding Jesus as the Good Shepherd impact your relationship with Him and your daily life?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt afraid or dismayed. How can the promise of God’s provision of leadership bring you comfort?

5. How can you apply the principles of godly leadership in your own life, whether in your family, workplace, or community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezekiel 34
This chapter also speaks of God’s promise to provide shepherds for His people and criticizes the false shepherds who have failed in their duties. It highlights God's care and the promise of a future shepherd, which Christians see fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

John 10
Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, fulfilling the promise of providing a leader who truly cares for His flock, ensuring they are not afraid or dismayed.

Psalm 23
This psalm portrays the LORD as the ultimate Shepherd, providing, guiding, and protecting His people, which aligns with the promise in Jeremiah 23:4.
Food AttractiveJeremiah 23:4
God-Appointed PastorsA. J. Douglas.Jeremiah 23:4
Preachers Must Feed the PeopleJeremiah 23:4
False Shepherds and the TrueA.F. Muir Jeremiah 23:1-4
Shepherds, Bad and GoodD. Young Jeremiah 23:1-4
People
David, Israelites, Jeremiah
Places
Babylon, Egypt, Gomorrah, Jerusalem, Samaria, Sodom
Topics
Affirmation, Affrighted, Afraid, Care, Declares, Dismayed, Fear, Fed, Feed, Keepers, Lacking, Longer, Loss, Missing, Overcome, Raise, Raised, Says, Shepherds, Tend, Terrified, Troubled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 23:4

     1220   God, as shepherd
     8413   edification

Jeremiah 23:1-5

     7130   flock, God's

Jeremiah 23:3-4

     8130   guidance, from godly people

Jeremiah 23:4-5

     7786   shepherd, king and leader

Library
Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
Having introduced the doctrine of imputed righteousness, I proofed to map out my subject. First, by way of affirmation; we say of the text--it is so--Christ is the Lord or righteousness; secondly, I shall exhort you to do him homage; let us call him so: for this is the name whereby he shall be called; and thirdly, I shall appeal to your gratitude; let us wonder at the reigning grace, which has caused us to fulfill the promise, for have been sweetly compelled to call him the Lord our righteousness.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Justification
'Being justified freely by his grace.' Rom 3:34. Q-xxxiii: WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION? A: It is an act of God's free grace, whereby he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, and received by faith alone. Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christianity. An error about justification is dangerous, like a defect in a foundation. Justification by Christ is a spring of the water of life. To have the poison of corrupt doctrine
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
We have spoken of the meaning of this term, inquired into the nature of the change, and noted its essential elements. We have also learned that there are some who do not need it because they are in a converted state, and that all who are not in such a state of Grace, do need conversion, regardless of anything that may or may not have taken place in the past. We inquire now as to the agencies or means by which this change is brought about. For it is a change which man can certainly not effect by his
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Trinity
Q-6. HOW MANY PERSONS ARE THERE IN THE GODHEAD? A: Three persons, yet but one God. 'There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.' I John 5:5. God is but one, yet are there three distinct persons subsisting in one Godhead. This is a sacred mystery, which the light within man could never have discovered. As the two natures in Christ, yet but one person, is a wonder; so three persons, yet but one Godhead. Here is a great deep, the Father
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6 We are now come to the fourth step of blessedness: Blessed are they that hunger'. The words fall into two parts: a duty implied; a promise annexed. A duty implied: Blessed are they that hunger'. Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger. What is meant by hunger? Hunger is put for desire (Isaiah 26:9). Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most suitable and proportional
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

A vision of the King.
ONE of the most blessed occupations for the believer is the prayerful searching of God's holy Word to discover there new glories and fresh beauties of Him, who is altogether lovely. Shall we ever find out all which the written Word reveals of Himself and His worthiness? This wonderful theme can never be exhausted. The heart which is devoted to Him and longs through the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be closer to the Lord, to hear and know more of Himself, will always find something
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end.
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Concerning Justification.
Concerning Justification. As many as resist not this light, but receive the same, it becomes in them an holy, pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of God, according to the apostle's words; But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Lord's Prayer.
(Jerusalem. Thursday Night.) ^D John XVII. ^d 1 These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven [the action marked the turning of his thoughts from the disciples to the Father], he said, Father, the hour is come [see pp. 116, 440]; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. [The Son here prays for his glorification, viz.: resurrection, ascension, coronation, etc.,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Jehovah. The "I Am. "
WHEN Moses in the desert beheld the burning bush God answered his question by the revelation of His name as the "I Am." "And God said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exod. iii:14). He who spake thus out of the bush to Moses was the same who in the fullness of time appeared upon the earth in the form of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is no less person, than the I AM. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Its Instrument
"Being justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24); "being now justified by His blood" (Rom. 5:9); "being now justified by faith" (Rom. 5:1). A full exposition of the doctrine of justification requires that each of these propositions should be interpreted in their Scriptural sense, and that they be combined together in their true relations as to form one harmonious whole. Unless these three propositions be carefully distinguished there is sure to be confusion; unless all the three are steadily borne
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What,"
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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