Thursday November 21st, 2019 Jeremiah 23:1-6
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. (verse 5)
I was in a health care seminar on leadership. The presenter’s first slide was a news editorial bemoaning the untrustworthy leadership in government and the despair of the populace who are sure things are worse than ever. He asked what the news story might have been written in response to. The audience named a number of scenarios: cuts in health care funding, the ecological crisis, political scandal. Then he revealed that the editorial was written 80 years ago!
Leadership that fails and fails miserably is as old as Jeremiah. As a metaphor for kings, “shepherds” were to protect, guide and feed the flock, which included just and fair governance. History continues to repeat itself as leaders in every generation fail to greater and lesser degrees in their responsibility to lead.
The Israelites, and each of us, are reminded that God will raise up new leaders who will care for them wisely and justly so that they will no longer be afraid, disappointed or despairing. God will raise up the righteous Branch, Jesus, who will guide, protect, feed and gather the flock with justice and righteousness.
We wait with hope and trust in you, O God. Amen. — LG
Contributed by Leaders then and now
I was in a health care seminar on leadership. The presenter's first slide was a news editorial bemoaning the untrustworthy leadership in government and the despair of the populace who are sure things are worse than ever. He asked what the news story might have been written in response to. The audience named a number of scenarios: cuts in health care funding, the ecological crisis, political scandal. Then he revealed that the editorial was written 80 years ago!
Leadership that fails and fails miserably is as old as Jeremiah. As a metaphor for kings, "shepherds" were to protect, guide and feed the flock, which included just and fair governance. History continues to repeat itself as leaders in every generation fail to greater and lesser degrees in their responsibility to lead.
The Israelites, and each of us, are reminded that God will raise up new leaders who will care for them wisely and justly so that they will no longer be afraid, disappointed or despairing. God will raise up the righteous Branch, Jesus, who will guide, protect, feed and gather the flock with justice and righteousness.
