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"The shepherds have become dull-hearted"

Text: Jeremiah 10:21

THE LEADERS OF THE NATION

The word “shepherd” was used figuratively to describe kings, princes, judges and all who play a role in leading the nation. The people were called “flocks”. Jeremiah commented on these shepherds.

“For the shepherds have become dull-hearted,
And have not sought the LORD;
Therefore they shall not prosper,
And all their flocks shall be scattered.
Behold, the noise of the report has come,
And a great commotion out of the north country,
To make the cities of Judah desolate, a den of jackals.”
Jeremiah 10:21-22

1. “For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the LORD”

a) The shepherds may have begun well.

b) But they had not continued to do well.

c) Along the way, the shepherds (rulers) had become dull-hearted.

i) Their hearts were affected adversely.

ii) They had become weary in their work of leading the nation.

d) Added to these problems:

i) They had not been faithful to the Lord their God.

ii) They did not seek the Lord and His blessings.

iii) Instead, they had sought idols for blessings they could not give.

2. “Therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered”

a) They had sought the idols so that they might prosper.

b) The opposite happened. The country did not prosper!

c) The real blessings came from the LORD whom they had set aside.

d) The consequences were obvious and sad.

i) The flocks (people) suffered.

ii) They will be scattered before too long.

3. “Behold, the noise of the report has come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, a den of jackals”

a) Once again, Jeremiah forewarned what would take place.

b) “The noise of the report”

i) This was more than a rumour.

ii) Evidence of an invading army had reached the ears of the shepherds.

c) “The north country”

i) This was a reference to the Babylonian invaders.

ii) They had come with the worst of intentions.

iii) They had come to destroy the cities of Judah.

iv) The land would become no more than a den of jackals.