New Shepherds

We all want independence.

This is a basic need but I am starting to wonder we have taken this too far in our present culture. This was not the view of the ancient world

We can easily become isolated.

This was part of what Jeremiah was telling the nation, look around and learn. Yet in true independence we become isolated and an island unto ourselves.

We seek knowledge and then get stuck.

More information is not always good.

Sin has a wide path of destruction/consequences.

Sin does not always have just a personal consequence.

We must repent and turn to Jesus.

Throughout this chapter there is a word play going on with the nation turning this way and that way when what they should be turning to his their rightful king.

God was giving a new kind of leader.

The promise in verse 15 speaks of great hope.

In God’s eyes character matters.

The first king of Israel was who the nation picked, a man after their own heart—Saul. The second was the one of God’s choosing—David.

Jesus is our new and good shepherd.

Though not originally the point of this chapter notice how Jeremiah is starting to proclaim a vision of something and someone new. Verses 15-18 depict something greater than the nation has ever known.

Let Christ heal you.

Verse 22 reminds us we cannot do it on our own. We are not to be independent but instead interdependent on one another as we are dependent on Christ.

Faithfulness=obedience in the same direction for a long time.

Let us be faithful as we trust and obey the Lord.