Nov 20 – Last Pentecost
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Restoration after Exile
The Righteous Branch of David

Background: The book of Jeremiah is an account of one of the chief priests during David’s reign. Jeremiah is a Levitical priest and is connected to orthodox worship following the law in the Torah. Jeremiah was a prophet during the end of Assyrian rule in Israel and the fall of all Israel and Assyria to the Babylonians.

Theme: This passage appears to pass judgment on the rulers of the Israelites. Jeremiah condemns the leaders for their lack of faithfulness and asserts that it was God alone who had sent the exiles to a predetermined place to protect them from being destroyed. Jeremiah provides an assurance that the true king from the Davidic line would rise again to rule in righteousness.

Questions to Ponder:
* Please read Jeremiah 23:1-6.
* Describe the setting for this passage: when it was written, who was leading the country, what the social status is, what the religious culture of the nation is, etc.
* What might the significance be of the image of the shepherd? How has that image been used to convey meaning in Hebrew Scripture and in the New Testament?
* Who do you think the shepherds were that Jeremiah was preaching against? What do you think they did to warrant Jeremiah’s rebuke?
* There appears to be a possible contradiction in verses 2 and 3. In verse 2 it seems that God is accusing the leaders of scattering the people because of their sin; in verse 3 it seems that God is claiming to have sent the exiles to protect them. How might they Israelites reconcile this apparent discrepancy? How do you reconcile the apparent discrepancy?
* Verse 3 seems to imply that it is God’s sole responsibility to bring the Israelites back from exile. Do you think that is what the writer intended? If not, what do you think the writer’s intention was with this verse?
* In verse 4, what do you think do to bring the people back to Israel?
* Do you think there is only one shepherd being referred to in verse 4? What is the possibility that there might be more than one shepherd to lead God’s people?
* Where else is the King of Israel referred to as a “Branch” (see verse 5)? What do you think God is trying to imply by referring to the true king as one who “I [God] will raise up for David as a righteous Branch…”?
* What do you think it means when Jeremiah says that the new king will be called, “The Lord (יהוה) is our righteousness.”? What might this reference be proclaiming for the present and future king in/of Israel?
* What do you think the message was that Jeremiah was trying to convey to the Israelites and those who would ultimately hear his message?
* What do you think was the expected response from those in Jeremiah’s time?
* What do you think we are called to do (differently) based on the command and prophesy from Jeremiah?
* What is the challenge for us as we try to apply this message of hope to our life as witnesses to God’s presence in the good and bad times?