Let those who have ears hear.<\/em><\/p>\n The shepherds they had trusted to protect and guide them with God\u2019s commands of justice and righteousness turned out to be wolves in shepherd\u2019s clothing.\u00a0 They cared only about preserving their own power.\u00a0 They exploited and abused the sheep.\u00a0 And no one seemed to be doing anything about it!<\/p>\n There was a whole system of corruption among the shepherds that enabled them to cover for each other.\u00a0 They got away with violating God\u2019s covenant without any consequences.\u00a0 Not only that, but the leaders sold them out!\u00a0 Powerful entities got their claws into the shepherds and convinced them to betray key leaders in order to save their own skins.<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t God see what was happening?\u00a0 Didn\u2019t God care?\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t God do something, anything<\/em> to help them?<\/p>\n They were understandably losing faith. No one seemed to have courage to tell the truth about what was happening and to stand up for what was right.\u00a0 The sheep were afraid.\u00a0 Frankly, the shepherds were afraid, too.<\/p>\n From 626\u2014587 BCE, Jeremiah witnessed horrendous events resulting from the corruption of the kings and idol worship. He watched the military invasion of his country, desecration of their holy places, and even the sacrifice of children.\u00a0 The book of Jeremiah is a collection of writings about his early life, his call to be a prophet, and what it was like to witness the destruction of his people.<\/p>\n Historically, the book was actually compiled during the Babylonian Captivity after Jerusalem had been destroyed and the people were forced into exile in that foreign land.\u00a0 We don\u2019t know who pulled it all together, but the writer (or writers) knew it was important to tell the story of what Jeremiah tried to do and what he suffered.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because they had faith that God would bring them through this exile and return them to their homeland.\u00a0 And when that happened, the people needed to know the story.\u00a0 They needed to know the truth about what their leaders did so that they wouldn\u2019t make the same mistakes in the future.<\/p>\n The book begins with Jeremiah reluctant to take on this prophetic work.<\/p>\n Maybe you, too, have tried to convince God that you weren\u2019t the one for this job.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t do this!\u00a0 I\u2019m still wet behind the ears.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have the experience, the credentials, the degree, the tenure to do this.\u00a0 God, I am not<\/em> the one you want to be a \u2018prophet to the nations.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGird up your loins!\u201d In other words: put on your big boy and big girl pants!<\/p>\n \u201cI am sending you to announce my judgement.\u00a0 If they hear your words, they may turn away from their sin.\u00a0 But don\u2019t worry, even when the leaders oppose you \u2013 and they will \u2013 they will not ultimately prevail, because I am with you.\u201d<\/p>\n With this assurance, Jeremiah sets out to give his oracles to the king.\u00a0 Jeremiah tried to warn the king and his court that it was their actions that had would lead to the destruction of the Temple and the exile.\u00a0 But he was banned from the Temple and the king\u2019s court for speaking truth to power.<\/p>\n Not one to give up, Jeremiah sent Baruch, his partner and scribe, to read the oracle. And do you know what the king did?\u00a0 He scratched out God\u2019s name and burned the scroll.\u00a0 Not to be deterred, Baruch and the later compilers wrote it again.\u00a0 And that\u2019s why we still have these writings today.<\/p>\n One of them is this passage in Jeremiah 23:1-4.<\/p>\n My how those words resound today.\u00a0 Because, once again, it is a tough time to be the sheep.<\/p>\n When the shepherd finally came back, the sheep were silenced, abused, mocked, and pitted against each other. This was all to distract from the shepherd\u2019s negligence and violation of the covenant.\u00a0 The flock scattered.\u00a0 Some of the sheep escaped, but none of them emerged without wounds.\u00a0 To make matters worse, the head shepherd<\/em> simply moved that shepherd to another unsuspecting flock where they could continue the pattern of abuse all over again.<\/p>\n When the sheep tried to defend the lambs, the shepherd scattered the flock.\u00a0 There was no place for them to return, because this shepherd rose through the ranks to become a head shepherd and closed off the pasture completely.<\/p>\n To make matters worse, they removed one of the good shepherds who was taking care of different flock.\u00a0 All of this was to distract from their own corruption. Once again, they scattered the sheep.\u00a0 And because they are a head shepherd, there are no consequences.\u00a0 There is no accountability.\u00a0 Why? Because the other head shepherds cover for each other and allow the abuse to continue on and on.<\/p>\n The shepherds who were trusted to protect the sheep and guide them with God\u2019s commands of justice and righteousness turned out to be wolves in shepherds\u2019 clothing.\u00a0 They cared only about preserving their own power.\u00a0 They exploited and abused the sheep.\u00a0 And no one seemed to be doing anything about it!<\/p>\n So the sheep wonder, where is God in all this?\u00a0 Does God see what is happening?\u00a0 Does God even care?\u00a0 Won\u2019t God do something, anything<\/em> to help them?<\/p>\n These were the central questions the people of Israel asked and which we echo today.\u00a0 What is God doing to respond to the unfaithfulness and corruption of the leaders? What is God doing about the scattered sheep?<\/p>\n These verses in Jeremiah 23 give us an answer.<\/p>\n In verses 1 and 2, God says, I see exactly what is going on.\u00a0 You have scattered the flock and driven them away.\u00a0 They do not trust you.\u00a0 You have not attended<\/em> to them.<\/p>\n Ah, let\u2019s pause here at that word \u201cattend.\u201d\u00a0 The Hebrew word for \u201cattend\u201d is paqad<\/em>.\u00a0 What\u2019s interesting is the intentional play on words. God is basically saying, \u201cYou<\/em> have not paid attention to my people, so now I<\/em> am going to pay attention to you for what you\u2019ve done (or failed to do).\u201d<\/p>\n God is<\/em> paying attention to the corruption and negligence of duty. Some of the shepherds may not care about the sheep, but God still does.\u00a0 And God is going to do something about it.<\/p>\n Remember, the original readers of this text in Babylon already know what happened to those leaders.\u00a0 They were destroyed by the powers that they tried to align with.\u00a0 They pledged allegiance to other forces instead of being faithful to God\u2019s commands for ethical and accountable leadership.\u00a0 And it led to the destruction of the nation.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the tragedy \u2013 when the shepherds go down, they drag the whole flock with them.\u00a0 Some escape, but no one emerges without wounds.\u00a0 Everyone is injured by fear \u2013 the lambs, the sheep, the shepherds, and yes, even the head shepherds.<\/p>\n Through this oracle, God assures them, \u201cI myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold and they shall be fruitful and multiply\u201d (v. 3).<\/p>\n We might imagine God as a sheepdog always with an eye on the sheep.\u00a0 The sheepdog drives them to safety, always nipping at their heels.\u00a0 She eventually rounds them up and brings them home once a trusted leader is in place.<\/p>\n \u201cI will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord,\u201d (v.4).\u00a0 The theological claim here is that God<\/em> raises up leaders over the people. And you\u2019ll know they are good leaders because there will be no more fear, or dismay, or lost sheep.\u00a0 You shall know the tree by its fruit, and you shall know the shepherd by their sheep.<\/p>\n God cares about what the leaders model in terms of right relationship with God and others.\u00a0 When leaders refuse to follow God\u2019s commands, the consequence is that the whole community suffers, as evidenced by what happened during Jeremiah\u2019s tenure.<\/p>\n When God calls someone to serve as a prophet, God equips them with the words they will need. And God stays with them for the work they are called to do.<\/p>\n One of the things we have to understand about this passage is who it was addressed to in the first place.\u00a0 As Dr. Jerry Sumney explains in his book, The Politics of Faith<\/em><\/a>, \u201cClearly, these prophets are not speaking primarily to the average person on the street.\u00a0 Their messages are spoken most directly to those in power\u201d (27).<\/p>\n This practice of speaking truth to power has its roots in ancient Israel. This means that clergy and congregations should also speak up. We must call for our leaders\u2019 actions, policies, and governance to come closer to reflecting God\u2019s justice for the powerful and mercy for the powerless.\u00a0 Jeremiah\u2019s text helps us find language for doing just that.<\/p>\n There is corruption in the land, and God is equipping you to call it out.\u00a0 You will face head shepherds who will try to silence you and threaten your position.\u00a0 Some of them will leave you hanging when you try to speak truth to power.\u00a0 Others will find ways to punish you or sideline you or gaslight you. Or they may try to remove you when you speak that truth.<\/p>\n But God is calling you to shepherd the flock, to feed the sheep, as Jesus told Peter (John 21:15-17).\u00a0 When you see neglect, abuse, misconduct, gaslighting, manipulation, or threats, be assured that God has your back as you face front<\/em> to call for accountability. God is with you as you point out the ways that the leaders\u2019 actions are not aligning with God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n God is <\/em>working among the remnant, identifying good shepherds, and providing them the training they need to lead God\u2019s people.\u00a0 That\u2019s why you are here, shepherds in training.<\/p>\n You are intended to be a fulfillment of God\u2019s promise to raise up shepherds who will be honest and courageous, ethical and accountable.\u00a0 Have faith that God will bring us through this exile. Don\u2019t be afraid to tell the story, because people need to hear the truth.<\/p>\n God\u2019s love is God\u2019s justice.\u00a0 And God\u2019s justice is God\u2019s love.\u00a0 God\u2019s desire is for the shepherds \u2013 and the head shepherds \u2013 to do the right thing.\u00a0 Because truth-telling and accountability are manifestations of God\u2019s love.<\/p>\n God will bring back the scattered sheep, the wounded sheep, the sheep who are losing their faith.\u00a0 And when they return, they will need you, shepherds in training, to rebuild trust and help them thrive.<\/p>\n So tend the lambs.\u00a0 Care for the sheep. And follow the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n 6 Reasons Why Rev. Nelson Rabell-Gonz\u00e1lez was Denied Due Process<\/a><\/p>\n The Church\u2019s Racist Code of Silence: One Pastor\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n The Politics of Faith \u2013 The Bible, Government, and Public Policy: Book Review<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/em>@LeahSchade<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/764\/2022\/02\/Wolves-in-Shepherds-Clothing.1.png\")
It was a tough time to be the sheep.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>\n
The sheep wondered, where was God in all this?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
This was the situation Jeremiah faced when God called him to be a prophet to the people of Judah. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
The importance of telling the story<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Maybe you can relate to Jeremiah\u2019s feelings of hesitancy.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
But God assures Jeremiah that there is too much sinning going on for him to cower behind his excuses.<\/h3>\n
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Jeremiah was calling out their unfaithfulness.\u00a0 So they tried to silence him.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cWoe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, says the Lord\u201d (v.1).<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
In one flock, the shepherd abandoned the sheep for weeks on end.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
In another flock, the shepherd took the lambs\u2019 food for themselves. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
It\u2019s Jeremiah\u2019s story told in a different time.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>\n
In other words, God does indeed see what has happened.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Yet, Jeremiah does not leave them without hope.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>\n
This is exactly what God promises. <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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More broadly, the theological assertion of this passage is that God cares about how the community\u2019s leaders conduct themselves and how they govern. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Here\u2019s why this passage matters to those of you who are \u201cshepherds in training.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
That includes the people who run the government, who run the corporations, and yes, who run the church.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Shepherds in training, gird up your loins! <\/strong><\/h2>\n
The good news is that God is<\/em> paying attention to those who are responsible. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Remember, God gives this oracle to Jeremiah because of God\u2019s love for all of them \u2013 for the sheep and the lambs, for the shepherds and the head shepherds.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nRead also:<\/h4>\n
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The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade<\/strong>\u00a0is the Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at\u00a0<\/em>Lexington Theological Seminary<\/i><\/a>\u00a0in Kentucky and ordained in the ELCA. Dr. Schade does not speak for LTS or the ELCA; her opinions are her own.\u00a0 She is the author of\u00a0<\/em>Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide<\/a>\u00a0(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019)<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit<\/a>\u00a0(Chalice Press, 2015). She is the co-editor of\u00a0<\/em>Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis<\/a>\u00a0(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019).\u00a0 Her latest book, co-written with Jerry Sumney is\u00a0<\/em>Apocalypse When?: A Guide to Interpreting and Preaching Apocalyptic Texts<\/a>\u00a0(Wipf & Stock, 2020).<\/p>\n