Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Wail, shepherds, and cry!"
Text: Jeremiah 25:34
A PROPHECY OF THE END OF JUDAH
The prophecy of Jeremiah in this passage went beyond his day and age. This prophecy ought to have been heard with great trepidation and humility!
“Wail, shepherds, and cry!
Roll about in the ashes,
You leaders of the flock!
For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are fulfilled;
You shall fall like a precious vessel.
And the shepherds will have no way to flee,
Nor the leaders of the flock to escape.
A voice of the cry of the shepherds,
And a wailing of the leaders to the flock will be heard.
For the LORD has plundered their pasture,
And the peaceful dwellings are cut down
Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
He has left His lair like the lion;
For their land is desolate
Because of the fierceness of the Oppressor,
And because of His fierce anger.”
Jeremiah 25:34-38
1. The word “shepherd”
a) This word may be generally understood as a “leader” (Jeremiah 25:35, 36).
b) The following were regarded as “shepherds”:
i) Kings and princes
ii) Priests and prophets
iii) Elders of the people
2. They will wail at the time when the LORD would come and judge them
a) They had failed in their leadership roles badly.
b) They had led their people into disaster:
i) Slaughter
ii) Dispersion
c) They will fall, though they may be regarded as “precious vessels”.
d) They will wail in deep regret but that would avail nothing.
3. The LORD Himself will become:
a) The Lion that had left his lair.
b) The Oppressor
i) He will become like an enemy.
ii) He will come with great anger.