The future reign of the Righteous Branch, in contrast to the current false shepherds.
I. Woe to the pastors (ie., shepherds) that destroy and scatter (23:1,2) - cp. Eze 34:1-10
Ch.23-24 are properly regarded as the continuation of the LORD's answer to Zedekiah, in ch.21-22.
As in ch.22, the "pastors" are the kings of Judah (specifically, the last four) who led their people away from the LORD, and into the judgment which would destroy and scatter them (cp. 22:22).
II. Foreview of the Shepherd who gathers and restores (23:3-8) -
This Shepherd is the LORD Himself (23:3-5)- "I will gather... I will set up shepherds..." (cp. Eze 34:11-16)
The near view refers to the restoration following the Babylonian captivity,
when Joshua (the High Priest) and Zerubbabel (the governor), fed God's flock (cp. Zechariah ch. 3-6; eg., Zech 3:6-9; 4:6-10). The ministries of Joshua and Zerubbabel were types (pictures) of Christ, who is "My servant, the Branch" and "the Stone" with the "seven eyes of the LORD."
The far view refers to the restoration of Israel in Christ's Millennial Kingdom.
"They shall fear no more..." (23:4) - This will not be true until His Kingdom comes.
By the time of Jesus' birth and earthly ministry, Israel had again fallen away from the LORD, was still under Gentile dominion, and was again about to be scattered. Jerusalem and her people will not have true and lasting peace until Christ's Kingdom is established there. Psa 122:6; Isa 9:6,7
This Shepherd is the King appointed by the LORD (23:5-8) -
was disregarded and distorted, by prophets and people, unfaithful to the LORD, with no appetite for His Word, whose hearts were set to pursue evil {wickedness, calamity} with all their strength.
The sorrowful effects upon the Land (23:10-14)-
prophet and priest are profane {ie., defiled, polluted},
the LORD's house is corrupted with wickedness,
the Land is made waste: The judgment that befell Samaria will overtake Jerusalem, for the nation is polluted with sin, like Sodom and Gomorrah on the eve of their destruction.
The impending sorrow of the false prophets,
whose blasphemous words had poisoned the nation (23:13,14).
Their words would turn back upon them, with bitter consequences (23:15). cp. Deu 29:18-20; Lam 3:15
Being ignorant of the mind of the LORD, the false prophets cannot speak for Him.
This verse can also be read as the continuation of what the false prophets 'say' (23:17,18), as they mock and cast doubt upon God's warning concerning imminent judgment (as proclaimed by prophets who truly "perceived... heard... and marked {hearkened, paid attention to}" the LORD's Word). cp. Gen 3:1
Their words will not prevail against the Word of the LORD (23:19,20).
The 'wicked' {those who are 'wrong'} will see this for themselves, in the latter days, when His prophetic Word comes to fruition.
If they had heard and spoken God's Word, they would have led the people to repent of their wickedness and avoid the consequences of their ways. God holds those, who claim to speak for Him, accountable for what they say, and responsible for the fate of their followers. cp. James 3:1
False Authority claimed by the False Prophets (23:23-40) -
"I have dreamed..." - Lies and the deceit of the heart contrary to God's Word (23:25-29).
It is true that God sometimes speaks through dreams (eg., Gen 37:5,9; Num 12:6; Mat 1:20). But dreams can arise from other sources (eg., Eccl 5:2,3). Any dream must be tested by God's Word (Deu 13:1-5). Any message which is not in agreement with God's Word will come to nothing. God's Word will prevail against it.
"He saith..." (23:30-32) - The false prophets claimed to be hearing from God,
but in reality they were plagiarizing words (purportedly from God) from each other (23:30) and leading the people into error (23:32), by their lies and "lightness" (ie., their reckless disregard of truth, cp. Zeph 3:4).
"Behold, I am against you..."- This was the LORD's true message to the false prophets.
Though He repeats it three times, they remain unreceptive to His revealed Word. cp. Eze 13:8; 1Pet 3:12
Special messages {burdens}, as though committed to them by the LORD (23:33-40).
The word "burden" {HB= massa'} means "that which is taken up."
The word can be used of a weight taken up on one's shoulders (eg., Jer 17:27), or of a heavy message taken up on one's lips (eg. Eze 12:10). In the latter sense, a true prophet would take up an oracle from God (cp. 1Pet 4:11). But regarding the false prophets, who falsely claimed to bear a burden from the LORD, the LORD replies with a play on words: "What burden? {ie., 'You are the burden.'} I will cast you off." (23:33)
The people should have been asking: "What hath the LORD answered thee? What hath the LORD spoken?" (23:34-38) -
Instead, they gave ear to the false 'burdens' recklessly imagined and spoken by lying prophets (23:32), who told their listeners what they wanted to hear (23:17; cp. 2Tim 4:3,4).
Tragically, prophet, priest and people preferred their self-deception to the true Word of God (Jer 5:31; cp. Isa 8:20; 28:13-15).
Because the false prophets persist in giving (and the people in heeding) false "burdens,"
the LORD would give them up, perpetually, to their preferred confusion and shame (23:38-40; cp. Jer 9:13-15; 24:9; Rom 1:28).
The good figs (24:4-7) - represent the believing remnant, who would be...
sent out of this place for their own good (24:5)
The good figs would include Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech, Abednego, Mordecai, Esther, Ezekiel...
brought back and restored... planted and built up (24:6) -
The restoration in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah was a partial fulfillment. But Israel was again "plucked up" after that restoration. The final fulfillment awaits the establishment of Christ's Millennial Kingdom. It is to that time that the next verse applies...
Seven times (in 24:5-7), the LORD says "I will..." do each of the points which pertain to the restoration of the remnant and the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom (cp. Eze 36:36). He Himself will accomplish His purposes for His people.
The bad figs (24:8-10) -
represent Zedekiah and the false prophets and priests associated with him,
and all the people who placed their trust in them (and, therefore, remained in the city in disregard of God's Word, in Jer 21:8-10).
to be scattered "for their hurt."
to be a proverb, taunt and curse wherever they found themselves.
Here also, in the judgment of 'the bad figs,' the LORD is the active agent, repeatedly saying, "I will..." accomplish my purpose against the ungodly (cp. Jer 44:27; Eze 24:14).
This concludes the LORD's answer to Zedekiah's enquiry (ch. 21-24).