Jeremiah 10:21
For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
JEREMIAH 10:21
This verse indicts the shepherds—the leaders and prophets who were supposed to guide God’s people—calling them “brutish” for failing to seek the LORD. “Pastors” in Jeremiah’s day often traded true religious leadership for political expediency, false security, or personal gain. As a result, the people—“their flocks”—are scattered, reflecting the broken community and lost souls under negligent oversight. The context includes the broader critique of false prophets who prophesied smooth things (Jeremiah 23) and failed to shepherd with integrity. The imagery of scattering underscores the consequence: without faithful leadership, people drift into idolatry, violence, and despair. The verse stands as a warning: leaders who neglect prayer, humility, and fidelity jeopardize the entire community.
Key themes include responsibility of leadership, accountability before God, and the necessity of seeking and abiding in the LORD. God’s people are meant to be nourished and protected by those who model covenant fidelity. When leaders are brutish, it reveals a spiritual deficiency—self-reliance, fear of man, or compromised ethics—and the effect cascades into the church and society. The consequence is not merely personal loss but communal dispersion. This ties to the biblical pattern that shepherds (pastors, elders, parents) are accountable to God for how they guide, guard, and nurture those entrusted to them.
If you’re in leadership: examine your habits—do you seek God daily, consult wise counsel, and prioritize the health of your flock over personal comfort? If you’re a layperson, evaluate the leaders you support. Are they shepherds who guide you toward God or idols of popularity and power? Personal application: cultivate a culture of prayer, transparency, and accountability within your church or small group. When you notice leadership failures, address them with grace and truth, and participate in remedy—whether through restorative discipline, reformation, or renewed pastoral oversight. The verse invites all to return to the LORD as the true Source of direction.
Cross-References: Ezekiel 34:2-4; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17