Chapter Summary

Future restoration and conversion of Israel. Message against the faithless shepherds.

Discussion Questions for Jeremiah, Chapter 23

1. Who are the shepherds referenced in verses 1 & 2? Why is their sin more scrutinized by the Lord?
2. Since it is the Babylonians who are invading and taking people from the land of Judah, why in verse 2 does God say, "the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away." (NASB)? Would Babylon have come if these shepherds had tended the sheep? What can Jeremiah 22:22 tell us about the reason for the sheep going astray?
3. Who is the shepherd in verse 3? How does the imagery of this shepherd inform us about the shepherd in John 10:11-18 and who Jesus is?
4. In Ezra 1-2:1-2 and Nehemiah 1-2:1-8 many groups of exiles return to the land of Judah. Is this the fulfillment of the prophecy in verse 3 & 4? Is this prophecy fulfilled in the end times after the return of Jesus? Is this prophecy for both scenarios? How would the original audience of Jeremiah's time interpret verses 3 & 4? Should we interpret verses 3 & 4 any differently today? Why or why not?
5. In verses 5 & 6, is this promised righteous king to come in Jeremiah's time or later? How is the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9-10 similar to this passage? How do these passages relate to John 12:12-19 concerning who Jesus is?
6. What is the significance of naming both Judah and Israel considering the fact that the Northern Kingdom of Israel is completely destroyed at the time Jeremiah is prophesying? How is it that this King will restore a dead nation?
7. How can a king be called "our righteousness" (v. 6, NASB)? How did the kings of Israel represent the righteousness of the nation to God? How is Jesus our righteousness, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:21? What does that righteousness mean for our relationship with God today as his people?
8. Why is the Lord is so incredibly angry with the false prophets in the latter half of chapter 22? What are the words of God compared to in Matthew 4:3-4, and what level of importance are the words of God given there?
9. Why do the false prophets promise peace in verse 17, while facing down an invasion that the Lord, through Jeremiah, is telling them will destroy Jerusalem? Why do you think that many false teachers only speak of the positive side of life and prosperity, and often not about sin and the challenges of life? What can 2 Timothy 4:3-4 tell us about these false teachers? What is the main concern of the false teacher and their hearers?
10. In verses 25-38 the Lord paints a picture of rampant lies and chaos because of the words of the false prophets. What are some ways believers today can recognize these false teachers according to 1 John 4:1-6? What are some ways we can hide the truth of God's Word in our heart, as it says in Psalm 119:9-16?

Key Words/Phrase

Lying prophets, v. 25.

Characters

God, Christ.

Strong Verse(s)

5, 24, 29, 32.