July 16, 2018
Jeremiah 23:1-3…“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” vs. 1
When Jeremiah speaks of shepherds, he has in mind the corrupt and power hungry kings of his nation. Their leadership had meant the dissolution and scattering of the people; already many had been led away into exile. He himself would soon be taken against his will to Egypt. It was a terrible time. Leaders bore the blame and that’s pretty much the way it still is. When we think of the terrible wars and calamities of the last century, it’s not ordinary folks who are responsible. Generally it’s the powerful men and women, the rich ones who make the legislation and laws, who sit at home while others fight; they’re the ones who are accountable for all the destruction and scattering. In fact, whether in business, government, schools, or churches, leaders are directly responsible for the good of the whole. When they’re humble, benevolent, and nurturing the organization prospers. They set the bar for behaviors from top to bottom. On the other hand, any self-aggrandizing, power-loving leader spells disaster, and sometimes it takes years to recover. Jeremiah understands leaders to be like shepherds, people who have a calling from God to bring prosperity and peace to humanity. They have a big part to play in establishing the kingdom of God…and woe to the ones who mess it all up!
Thought for the Day: Where are you seeing good leadership right now?
0 Comments