stupid shepherds

For the shepherds are stupid

and do not inquire of the Lord;

therefore they have not prospered,

and all their flock is scattered.

Jeremiah 10:21

This indictment against the leaders of Judah shows a clear consequence when spiritual leadership goes awry. The priests, Levites, and royal officials in Jerusalem were all tolerant of idolatry and disrespectful of God’s covenant. They led the nation in idolatry and neglected seeking the Lord. They relied on their own wits to lead. God calls that strategy “stupid”.

The result of this selfish, immature, rebellious, stupid leadership was that Jerusalem faltered. The nation did not prosper under such leaders. They may have enjoyed high approval ratings. The idolatry might have seemed cool as they now “fit in” with the nations around them. And personal fortunes might have been made at the price of economic hardship on the poor and needy. But all of that came at the cost of the spiritual soul of the nation. And when that eroded, Judah was ripe for invasion as God’s consequence for disobedience. That is exactly what happened. The stupid shepherds were taken over. Their flock scattered and was decimated in the siege.

How much better it is to seek the Lord and to inquire of Him! Leadership demands that leaders themselves are followers of a higher standard than just their own thoughts. And the ultimate standard for leadership is non other than the Great Shepherd - Jesus! Looking to Him, asking of Him to provide wisdom, looking to His Word for truth and to the Holy Spirit for enablement can save shepherds from being stupid.