Jeremías 23:1-10

1 ¡Ay de los pastores que desperdician y derraman las ovejas de mi manada! Dijo el SEÑOR.

2 Por tanto, así dijo el SEÑOR Dios de Israel a los pastores que apacientan mi pueblo: Vosotros derramasteis mis ovejas, y las espantasteis, y no las habéis visitado; he aquí yo visito sobre vosotros la maldad de vuestras obras, dijo el SEÑOR.

3 Y yo recogeré el resto de mis ovejas de todas las tierras adonde las eché, y las haré volver a sus moradas; y crecerán, y se multiplicarán.

4 Y pondré sobre ellas pastores que las apacienten; y no temerán más, ni se amedrentarán, ni serán menoscabadas, dijo el SEÑOR

5 He aquí que vienen los días, dice el SEÑOR, y despertaré a David renuevo justo, y reinará Rey, el cual será dichoso, y hará juicio y justicia en la tierra.

6 En sus días será salvo Judá, e Israel habitará confiado; y éste será su nombre que le llamarán: SEÑOR, JUSTICIA NUESTRA.

7 Por tanto, he aquí que vienen días, dijo el SEÑOR, y no dirán más: Vive el SEÑOR que hizo subir a los hijos de Israel de la tierra de Egipto;

8 sino: Vive el SEÑOR que hizo subir y trajo la simiente de la Casa de Israel de tierra del aquilón, y de todas las tierras adonde los eché; y habitarán en su tierra.

9 A causa de los profetas mi corazón está quebrantado en medio de mí, todos mis huesos tiemblan; estuve como hombre borracho, y como hombre a quien dominó el vino, delante del SEÑOR, y delante de las palabras de su Santidad.

10 Porque la tierra está llena de adúlteros; porque a causa del juramento la tierra está desierta; las cabañas del desierto se secaron; la carrera de ellos fue mala, y su fortaleza no derecha.

Jeremías 23:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 23

This chapter contains threatenings to the Jewish governors, and to their priests and prophets, on account of their manifold sins; intermixed with gracious promises to the Lord's people, and particularly with a famous promise of the Messiah. The pastors or governors of Israel are charged with scattering and driving away the Lord's flock, for which they are threatened, Jer 23:1,2; and a promise is made of the gathering of the remnant of them, and of setting up other shepherds over them, under whom they should increase, and be comfortable, Jer 23:3,4; particularly the Messiah is promised; as David's righteous Branch; as a prosperous and righteous King; as the author of righteousness to his people, under whom they should have salvation and safety, Jer 23:5,6; so that in comparison of this salvation, the deliverance out of Egypt should not be spoken of, Jer 23:7,8; and then follows a sad complaint of the priests and prophets; of their profaneness, their adultery, swearing, lying, hypocrisy, and deception of the people; for all which they are severely threatened, Jer 23:9-15; wherefore the people are exhorted not to hearken to them, promising them peace and safety; whereas, by attending to the word of God, it might easily be seen that a storm of wrath was gone forth, and was ready to break, and would fall upon the head of the wicked, to the executing of the thoughts and purposes of God's heart, Jer 23:16-20; and the Lord declares he had not sent these prophets, as might be known from their not turning the people from their evil ways, Jer 23:21,22; whose conduct and behaviour could not be hid from the sight of the Lord, nor their prophecies from his ears, which were no other than dreams, and the deceits of their own hearts; and there was as great a difference between them and the word of the Lord, as between chaff and wheat; seeing his word in his hand is of great virtue and efficacy, whereas there was none in theirs, Jer 23:23-29; wherefore the Lord declares himself to be against these prophets, for stealing his word from their neighbour; for making use of his name, when they were not sent by him; and for causing the people to err by their lies, Jer 23:30-32; and both people, priest, and prophet, are severely threatened for jeering and scoffing at the word of the Lord, calling it the burden of the Lord; which phrase they are forbid to use in a sneering way; and should they persist in it, they are told that God would forsake and forget them, and cast them out, and everlastingly punish them, Jer 23:39,40.