Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Jeremiah 3:15-18 – The Blessings of Good Shepherds
Every gift given by God is to bless His people. Do we believe that? If so, let’s look at one gift of grace – pastors. Jesus wanted to bless His people with shepherds, also known as pastors, elders, and overseers:
Ephesians 4:7,11 – But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift…. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.
Before Jesus ever provided His people with pastors, God prophesied in Jeremiah 3:15-18 concerning the blessings Good Shepherds would bring.
Shepherds are a Blessing – “Then I will give you shepherds [Pastors (KJV)] after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding (v.15). Pastors are a blessing when they have God’s heart, just like David (1 Samuel 13:14). Because of this likeness of God or to God, they are interested in keeping their Owner’s sheep healthy. Therefore they are careful what they feed to the sheep. In this verse we see what pastors are to be; and what pastors are to do. God’s shepherds are to be like Him, and to feed His sheep. When this happens, God will accomplish great blessings to His flock.
Blessing #1 – Growth – “It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the LORD…( v.16a). If we want to grow and multiply and have a larger flock, then the elders must keep their hearts pure, and they must feed the flock what is pure. It is assumed in this text the flock will eat what God has prescribed for their health. The result is natural – or supernatural – growth. Now it is interesting to note that although this is listed first, it is not the first blessing. This is actually a result of all the blessings. Notice the progression.
Blessing #2 – Improved Worship – “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again (v.16b). Doesn’t it make sense that if the leaders are godly and the congregation is fed God’s word that there will be an inward change producing better worship? Absolutely! This type of worship is what Jesus spoke of in John 4:24 – God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Blessing #3 – Closeness to God – “At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the LORD,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD… (v.17a). The entire theme of the Bible is that God wants to have a relationship with us. Therefore He blesses us with people who can lead us to that desired goal. Worshipping better brings us closer to God.
Blessing #4 – Humility from a New Heart – nor will they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart (v.17b). If the leaders have a heart after God, and feed us the word of God, then as we get closer to God we gain humility of heart.
Blessing #5 – Unity Among God’s People – “In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance (v18). What a wonderful experience true unity is. Unity comes from worshipping better, getting closer to God, and having a humble heart.
It is true that if we want to grow numerically, we have to grow spiritually. It is the responsibility of the pastors to have God’s heart so that they can lead others to have God’s heart. Every gift given by God is to bless His people. Please pray for the pastors that they will be used by God to bless His people and to be good shepherds.
Comments