Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will shepherd you on knowledge and understanding. — Jeremiah 3:15 (LSB)
What does the above promise mean? What does it imply for modern-day ministers? And how do we go about achieving that end? Answer these questions well, and I would suggest that you are well on your way to becoming a better pastor, elder, or leader in ministry—a shepherd of the flock.
These words of Yahweh, spoken through His prophet Jeremiah, are a gracious prophecy to a nation in spiritual decline—a decline which in the very near future would result in exile. Yet these words promise what God will provide for His people if they repent and return to Him. Should they do so, He will bring them back from exile and restore them to their own land. At that time of restoration, Yahweh would also give them shepherds—godly civil and religious leaders who had hearts in tune with His own.
The previous generation of shepherds had failed the people miserably, increasingly leading them away from Yahweh, and scattering them across the hillsides (Ezekiel 34). Contrary to those shepherds, Yahweh affirms that He would raise up a new line of shepherds who are willing to lead and to feed according to the heart of Yahweh. These shepherds would echo God‘s heart and His will and lead the sheep in the right way. Their ministry would be to exalt God and “shepherd,” (or “feed”) the sheep wisdom, knowledge and understanding of Yahweh. Their service would be to reflect the character and values of Yahweh. This statement is both a plea from Yahweh to a wayward people and a promise of another opportunity—with the prospect of success under godly leadership.
How often in the annals of Scripture do we see the core causes of national disobedience? At times, it is the stiff-necked people refusing to be faithful to their God. But oftentimes the problem lies in the heart of those in leadership over God’s people. The results are similar: a reduction of favor for the people of God.
And yet the remedy seems to be the same as well: people repenting, and leaders following after the heart of God. The answer seems to be consistently the same—people repenting of their errant ways, and shepherds committed to explaining and displaying the heart of Yahweh.
Shepherd, hear this: in our world we have all sorts of metrics and standards which will claim to measure the mettle of a shepherd. But I am certain that if you can develop a heart after God’s own heart, you are in the greatest position to being faithful to that most privileged calling. Our modern celebrity-type “pastors” seek to lead through alternate affirmations. They measure their success through podcast downloads, social-media “thumbs-up,” clicks on a blog, the level of congregational applause, and beach-ball enthusiasm in the sanctuary—all in order to feed their own glory, their own appetite, ego, pride, or secular ambition.
But once we understand that prophecy of Yahweh to Judah, we understand that importance for those who serve in pastoral ministry: that we exhibit and explain the heart of God to the people of God. This must be the touchstone of any ministry—not according to arbitrary or subjective standards, but according to the desires and standards of the heart of Yahweh.
That means humility, faithfulness, integrity, accountability, and obedience are part and parcel of pastoral discipline.
Pursue with a passion an intimate relationship with your Creator.Pursue righteousness.
Trust in Christ, walk in Christ, abide in Christ.
Pursue holiness—and do not forsake it.
For the shepherd, the high mark of faithfulness is this: God wants leaders after His own heart.
From here until we reach glory, may our prayer always be: “Lord, I want to be a shepherd after Your own heart.”
