Jeremiah 3:15

JEREMIAH—NOTE ON Jeremiah 3:15 God will give this remnant (see note on v. 14) shepherds after his own heart, that is, leaders like David in whom God takes delight (1 Samuel 13:14). These shepherds will feed the people with knowledge and understanding, the very qualities they lacked when they turned from God and followed false teachers and priests (Hosea 4:1). Shepherds are a recurring theme in Jeremiah 1:1 (Jeremiah 10:21; Jeremiah 23:1; Jeremiah 50:6; see Ezekiel 34:1). The term can refer specifically to civil leaders, such as the king (2 Samuel 5:2), or to leaders more generally (civil and religious). All were charged with leading God’s people to show his holiness in their personal and corporate lives. The people need faithful shepherds, and God will supply them after the exile.