Jeremiah 10:17-22

17 Gather up your wares from the land,
O inhabitant of the fortress!

18 For thus says the LORD:
“Behold, I will throw out at this time
The inhabitants of the land,
And will distress them,
That they may find it so.”
19 Woe is me for my hurt!
My wound is severe.
But I say, “Truly this is an infirmity,
And I must bear it.”
20 My tent is plundered,
And all my cords are broken;
My children have gone from me,
And they are no more.
There is no one to pitch my tent anymore,
Or set up my curtains.
21 For the shepherds have become dull-hearted,
And have not sought the LORD;
Therefore they shall not prosper,
And all their flocks shall be scattered.
22 Behold, the noise of the report has come,
And a great commotion out of the north country,
To make the cities of Judah desolate, a den of jackals.
Jeremiah 10:17-22 NKJV

The Lord is hurt by the disloyalty of His people. It is a trial to Him to have them turn away from Him and no longer fulfill their mission of carrying His great name to the world. When they refuse to be led by God into His peace and prosperity, they are left without protection from their enemies. The ones whom He choose and gave special blessings have now refused His blessings, turning for protection and help to the worthless gods that verses 1-16 talked about instead of giving their allegiance to the powerful God of creation. The leaders of His people did not seek the Lord. They were dull-hearted, doing what was easy and going along with the people into the ways of ease and comfort, speaking words to the people that they wanted to hear instead of words of truth that they needed to hear. Because the shepherds did not help the people hear and understand the message God had for them, these supposed leaders would not prosper and their flocks would be scattered as Judah went to its destruction and captivity. The leaders supposed that by speaking smooth things that people wanted to hear, they would be appreciated and loved. However, by failing to speak God's truth to the people, they helped them turn their backs on God, to their own destruction and causing the whole land to be lost. While each person in Judah had their individual need to listen to the Lord's messages and obey Him, the leaders had a special responsibility to help them to listen to the Lord and follow Him. They needed to guide by example and word and deed. Whether or not they were appreciated for the truth or not, as shepherds it was their responsibility to lead the people towards God and His truth. When the leaders lost their dedication to their God and His truth, the people were encouraged to likewise abandon following and obeying the creator who was their only hope for salvation. The result was the armies came from the north and Judah was left desolate. So it is with my life. Whatever leadership role God gives me, I must fulfill to the best of my ability. If I think I will help those whom I lead by telling them things they want to hear and encouraging them to only do the things they want to do, then I will fail in the mission God gives me. Those whom I would lead will be left adrift in their own weakness. Leading in the wrong direction is trouble, but also lack of leading is trouble. The result will be everyone ends up in a place that is outside of God's will. Jeremiah was faithful to lead the people toward the will of God. When they choose to not listen to him, and by ignoring him the people ignored God, the people took responsibility for the results of their decision. Good leaders are not always followed, but their reward will be based on their faithfulness to follow the path God sets before them.

Lord,
Help me to be faithful to whatever leadership role You give me. Help me to rely upon You for the wisdom and strength needed to carry out Your mission. Help me to not lord it over any whom You assign me to help in a vain attempt to have self power, but give me Your Spirit of love and care for the souls of those I lead. Help me to be willing to serve You in whatever way You assign me. When I follow other leaders and if You call me to lead, help me to do all to Your glory and honor.