Jeremiah 25:36
Hear the cry of the shepherds, the wailing of the leaders of the flock, for the LORD is destroying their pasture.
Hear the cry of the shepherds
The word "hear" in Hebrew is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. In the context of Jeremiah, the shepherds symbolize the leaders of Israel, who are responsible for guiding and protecting the people. The "cry" indicates a deep distress and desperation, as these leaders face the consequences of their failures. Historically, shepherds were seen as protectors, and their cry signifies a profound failure in their duty, as they witness the impending judgment from God.

the wailing of the leaders of the flock
"Wailing" in Hebrew is "יְלָלָה" (yelalah), a term that conveys intense mourning and lamentation. The "leaders of the flock" refers to the political and spiritual leaders of Judah, who are now in a state of despair. This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation, as those who were supposed to lead and protect are now powerless and overwhelmed. The imagery of wailing leaders highlights the reversal of roles, where those in authority are now the ones in need of guidance and comfort.

for the LORD is destroying their pasture
The "LORD" here is "יְהוָה" (Yahweh), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and justice. The term "destroying" in Hebrew is "שָׁדַד" (shadad), which means to devastate or lay waste. The "pasture" symbolizes the land and the people of Judah, which were under the care of the shepherds. This destruction is a direct result of the leaders' disobedience and failure to uphold God's covenant. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of turning away from His commandments. The pasture, once a place of provision and safety, is now subject to divine judgment, illustrating the severity of the leaders' neglect and the resulting divine retribution.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations.

2. Shepherds
Symbolically represents the leaders of Israel, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding the people.

3. Leaders of the flock
Another reference to the leaders of Israel, emphasizing their role in caring for and guiding the people.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is executing judgment due to the people's persistent disobedience.

5. Pasture
Symbolizes the land and the people of Israel, which are being destroyed as a consequence of the leaders' failures.
Teaching Points
Accountability of Leaders
Leaders are held accountable by God for their stewardship. They must lead with integrity and care for those entrusted to them.

Consequences of Disobedience
Persistent disobedience and failure to heed God's warnings lead to judgment and destruction.

God as the True Shepherd
Despite human failures, God remains the ultimate Shepherd who cares for and guides His people.

Call to Repentance
The cry and wailing of the leaders serve as a call to repentance, urging us to turn back to God before facing judgment.

Hope in Restoration
Even in judgment, there is hope for restoration through God's mercy and faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the shepherds in Jeremiah 25:36 relate to the responsibilities of leaders in the church today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are following the guidance of the Good Shepherd, as described in John 10?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it lead you to a deeper understanding of His role as the true Shepherd?

4. How can we, as individuals, contribute to the health and well-being of our "pasture" or community?

5. What steps can we take to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience and ensure that we are aligned with God's will for our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezekiel 34
This chapter also addresses the failure of Israel's shepherds (leaders) and God's promise to be the true Shepherd for His people.

John 10
Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, contrasting His leadership with that of the failed leaders of Israel.

Psalm 23
Highlights the Lord as the ultimate Shepherd who provides and cares for His flock, offering a contrast to the failed human shepherds.

Zechariah 11
Discusses the breaking of the covenant and the consequences for the shepherds who fail to lead the people rightly.
The Vision of Final JudgmentA.F. Muir Jeremiah 25:30-38
People
Amon, Babylonians, Buz, Dedan, Elam, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Tema, Zidon, Zimri
Places
Ammon, Arabia, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Babylon, Buz, Dedan, Edom, Egypt, Ekron, Elam, Gaza, Jerusalem, Media, Moab, Sidon, Tema, Tyre, Uz, Zimri
Topics
Bitter, Chiefs, Cry, Crying, Despoileth, Despoiling, Destroying, Fields, Flock, Green, Hark, Honourable, Howling, Keepers, Laid, Layeth, Lays, Leaders, Lords, Masters, Noble, Ones, Pasture, Principal, Sheep, Shepherds, Spoiled, Spoiling, Voice, Wail, Wailing, Waste
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 25:34-36

     7130   flock, God's

Library
Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition.
(Peræa, or Judæa, Near the Jordan.) ^A Matt. XX. 17-28; ^B Mark X. 32-45; ^C Luke XVIII. 31-34. ^b 32 And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem [Dean Mansel sees in these words an evidence that Jesus had just crossed the Jordan and was beginning the actual ascent up to Jerusalem. If so, he was in Judæa. But such a construction strains the language. Jesus had been going up to Jerusalem ever since he started in Galilee, and he may now have still be in Peræa. The parable
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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