Jeremiah 3:15

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Jeremiah

Jeremiah 3

Jeremiah 3:15

15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

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Jeremiah 3:15 in Other Translations

KJV

15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

ESV

15 "'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

NLT

15 And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.

MSG

15 I'll give you good shepherd-rulers who rule my way, who rule you with intelligence and wisdom.

CSB

15 I will give you shepherds who are loyal to Me,and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.

Jeremiah 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 3:15

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart
Which is to be understood not of political rulers and governors, but ministers of the word; who are "pastors" or "shepherds" under Christ the great Shepherd, and are "gifts" of his to the churches, and "according to his heart"; or "conformable to his mind", as the Arabic version; whom he calls, qualifies, puts into the ministry, and sends forth; whom he holds in his right hand, and keeps as the apple of his eye; who do his will, as the Targum, and feed men according to his heart: and as this prophecy belongs to Gospel times, as appears both by what goes before and by what follows, the apostles of Christ and first ministers of the Gospel are chiefly designed; though it might have some accomplishment in Nehemiah and Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, at and after the Jews return from Babylon; but a more complete one in the times mentioned: so Kimchi says, these are they that shall be with the King Messiah, according to ( Micah 5:5 ) : which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding;
with things worthy to be known and understood; with the solid and substantial truths of the Gospel, and by faithfully administering the ordinances of it; and in all directing to Christ the bread of life: or, "shall rule you" ^F6 not in an arbitrary way, according to their own ills, but according to the laws of Christ: these words, with knowledge and understanding, may either intend the matter with which these pastors should feed the church; which is what tends to spiritual knowledge and understanding, and an increase thereof; and which is blessed of God to such a purpose, though they themselves cannot give it: or else the manner in which they should feed or rule; that is, wisely and "prudently", as the Arabic version renders it: they feed wisely and prudently when they rightly divide the word of truth, and give to every one their portion of meat in due season; and feed them in proportion to their age and capacity, give milk to babes, and meat to strong men: and they rule with wisdom and prudence when they govern according to the laws of Christ, and take care that they are put in execution; and do all things decently and in order; and, as David, feed the flock according to the integrity of their hearts, and guide them by the skilfulness of their hands, ( Psalms 78:72 ) .

FOOTNOTES:

F6 (werw) "regent", Gataker.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Jeremiah 3:15 In-Context

13 Only acknowledge your guilt— you have rebelled against the LORD your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,’ ” declares the LORD.

14 “Return, faithless people,” declares the LORD, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion.

15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

16 In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the LORD, “people will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.

17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.