10.29.2015 Old Testament: Jer 25.34–38

To read the Bible in a year, read Jeremiah 25–26 on October 29, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

God has a job for everything and for everyone in His creation. He expects the water to provide for life on the planet. He expects bacteria to decompose dead things. And He expects the shepherds of His people to shepherd the flock. If they do not, He will remove them, even as He does anything else in His creation that does not fulfill the purpose for which He made it,

“Wail, shepherds, and cry!
Roll about in the ashes,
You leaders of the flock!
For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions are fulfilled;
You shall fall like a precious vessel.
And the shepherds will have no way to flee,
Nor the leaders of the flock to escape.
A voice of the cry of the shepherds,
And a wailing of the leaders to the flock will be heard.
For the Lord has plundered their pasture,
And the peaceful dwellings are cut down
Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.
He has left His lair like the lion;
For their land is desolate
Because of the fierceness of the Oppressor,
And because of His fierce anger.”
(Jeremiah 25.34–38) 

That does not paint a pretty picture. Therefore, if you are shepherd in the church, do your job, and He shall bless you mightily, but fail to do your job, and you shall suffer badly.