READING: Jeremiah 49:1-33, 2 Kings 24:5-7, 2 Chronicles 36:6-8, 2 Kings 24:8-9, 2 Chronicles 36:9, Jeremiah 22:24-23:32
Leaders matter.
Leaders of God’s people matter.
Godly leaders of God’s people matter.
Indeed, we need godly leaders.
I begin with these reminders today because of Jeremiah’s strong, confrontive words against the leaders of God’s people in his day. Listen to his critiques:
- “’Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ This is the Lord’s declaration. ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend my people: You have scattered my flock, banished them, and have not attended to them. I am about to attend to you because of your evil acts’—this is the Lord’s declaration.” (Jer 23:1-2)
- “Their way of life has become evil, and their power is not rightly used because both prophet and priest are ungodly, even in my house I have found their evil. This is the Lord’s declaration.” (Jer 23:10-11)
Ungodliness spread throughout the land (Jer 23:15), largely under the influence of leaders who should have known better. They established “slippery paths” (Jer 23:12) and led others in that direction. The people were no different than Sodom and Gomorrah, in fact—and the wickedness of their hearts that would lead to God’s judgment broke Jeremiah’s heart.
Again, I say: godly leaders matter. We need them.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: If you are a leader in any capacity, are you a godly one?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, grant me grace to walk in godliness today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 23:33-24:10, Jeremiah 29:1-31:14
