This guide gives you questions and answers for studying Jeremiah 23, the chapter where God condemns the shepherds who scattered his people, promises a righteous Branch from David, and warns against prophets who speak their own dreams instead of his word. It is written for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study. Each section moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how you might live it.
Jeremiah 23 at a Glance
The chapter opens with a woe against the shepherds, the leaders who have scattered God’s flock instead of caring for it. God promises to gather the remnant, set up faithful shepherds, and raise a righteous Branch from David who will reign with justice. The middle section turns to the prophets of Samaria and Jerusalem, who speak comforting lies and flatter people in their stubbornness.
From there the chapter presses the point that God is near, sees everything, and will not be deceived by dreams that pass for revelation. It closes with a sharp word about those who twist the phrase “message from the LORD” into their own opinions. Leaders can move through the questions in order, or pick out the sections that fit the group’s needs.
Observation Questions
Start here so the group agrees on what the text actually says before anyone interprets it. Let people read the passage aloud first, then answer from the words on the page rather than from memory or commentary.
Jeremiah 23:1-2
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the LORD. 2 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
This opening woe sets the tone for the whole chapter by naming the shepherds’ failure. Reading it aloud makes the group feel the force of God’s ownership of the flock.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
5 “Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: The LORD our righteousness.
(WEB)
These verses give the hope at the center of the chapter, the righteous Branch whose name is “The LORD our righteousness.” Reading them aloud lets the group respond to this promise together.
Jeremiah 23:16-17
16 The LORD of Armies says, “Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 17 They say continually to those who despise me, ‘The LORD has said, “You will have peace;”’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, ‘No evil will come on you.’
(WEB)
Hearing the false prophets’ words spoken aloud helps people recognize the appeal of comfortable lies. It also prepares the group to examine their own hearts.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
23 “Am I a God at hand,” says the LORD, “and not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says the LORD. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
(WEB)
God’s question about being near and far is a moment to pause and let the group sit with his presence. Reading it aloud invites reverence and quiet reflection.
Jeremiah 23:28-29
28 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?” says the LORD. 29 “Isn’t my word like fire?” says the LORD; “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
(WEB)
The contrast between straw and wheat, and between dreams and God’s word, gives the group a clear standard for listening. Reading these verses together helps them value Scripture above personal impressions.
Memory Verse for Jeremiah 23
Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: The LORD our righteousness.
(WEB)
This verse names the coming king “The LORD our righteousness,” which points the believer to a righteousness that comes from God himself. Memorizing it gives you a sentence to return to whenever you feel unworthy or uncertain.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you are the true Shepherd who gathers the scattered and keeps your flock. Forgive us for the times we have listened to voices that flatter us instead of your word, and for the times we have been slow to care for those you have entrusted to us. Give us wisdom to test what we hear and courage to speak your truth with love. Thank you that you are near, that you see us fully, and that the righteous Branch is our righteousness in Christ. Help us to live this week as people who know you are present. Amen.
