WHEN LEADERS LET US DOWN

“I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD. —Jeremiah 23:3, 4

It is not hard to find stories of pastors and other church leaders who have let their people down. There seems to be a steady stream of news reports of Christian leaders who have exploited their position, betrayed those who have trusted them, been tempted to wrongdoing, or led others into strange teachings and behavior. The response Jeremiah would deliver to such headlines seems appropriate—and is a reminder of the responsibilities that should come with such positions of leadership. “ ‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:1). God’s response to His people would be much more redemptive and restorative of those who were let down or led astray by such leaders. He would be their leader, again using the image of a good shepherd who would protect and provide for His people. It was God who promised to collect the scattered flock of the people of Israel and return them to the good pasture of their homeland.

And it was God who promised to appoint new leaders.

After the generally bleak tone of many of Jeremiah’s messages, the promise of a time when the people would no longer need to be afraid offers a hint of hope.

This is the beginning of a shift in tone for Jeremiah.

He starts preaching the possibility of restoration that would be, again, greater than the Israelite’s rescue from Egypt (see Jeremiah 23:7, 8).

Such promises—including the promise of a Messiah to come—began to push back fear, even amid the present circumstances.