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"I will give you shepherds according to My heart"

Text: Jeremiah 3:15

A LOVING INVITATION TO RETURN TO GOD

The use of figurative language was a very real and definite part of language used. The LORD used highly emotive language to speak to His people.

“‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the LORD;
‘for I am married to you. I will take you,
one from a city and two from a family,
and I will bring you to Zion.
And I will give you shepherds according to My heart,
who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.'”
Jeremiah 3:14-15

1. “‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the LORD”

a) The imagery of “children” was used meaningfully.

b) The world “children” was used kindly.

i) Children lack maturity.

ii) They also lack wisdom.

iii) They are prone to doing things on the spur of the moment without much thought.

c) Hence, they backslide.

d) But they may return to God!

2. “For I am married to you”

a) The imagery changes drastically.

b) The imagery of “marriage” was used poignantly.

i) It speaks of a relationship.

ii) It is a relationship that involves two parties.

iii) God was committed to this “marriage” relationship.

c) The marriage relationship may be strained to breaking point.

i) God still offers His people an invitation to return to Him.

ii) The relationship can be repaired and restored.

3. “I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion”

a) Though the people may be scattered.

b) Yet, God will bring the people back home.

c) Home was “Zion”.

i) One may be found in a city.

ii) Two may be found elsewhere.

iii) But whatever the case, God will help build the family.

4. “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding”

a) Shepherds are needed to care for the flock.

i) They lead.

ii) They protect.

iii) They will feed the flock.

b) The shepherd imagery

i) They are essentially spiritual leaders.

ii) They will be carefully selected “according to God’s own heart”.

iii) These would be good shepherds who will feed the people with good knowledge and understanding.

c) The shepherds Israel and Judah had.

i) Kings, priests and prophets.

ii) They had failed in their work miserably.