Jeremiah 23:2
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
The charge is spoken against the pastors who feed the people, that they have scattered the flock, driven them away, and have not visited and cared for them and sought them out. The scattering is not merely wandering but being driven from care, left unvisited and unsought when they should have been gathered and tended. The failure is a failure of feeding itself, claiming the shepherd's office while withholding true spiritual care.
That scattering takes place through teaching and conduct that lead people away from truth and leave them spiritually lost. It is done especially by filling minds with erroneous theories instead of sound feeding, so that reliance on human judgment replaces wise advancement of the work. For that neglect and harm the shepherds are held accountable, and God declares that He will visit the evil of their doings upon them in judgment. Those who lead astray and become deceived are answerable to Him for their wrongdoing.
The word applies to those responsible for spiritual care who have left communities without Scripture and must answer for that neglect. Where sheep are thus scattered there is a call for earnest efforts to bring them salvation. It applies likewise to pastors who rely heavily on their own judgment and fail to advance the work wisely, showing them unfit for positions of responsibility. It applies to unfaithful leaders whose rebellious work tears the church apart and wounds its members, for whom judgment for evil deeds is promised.
It is a warning to spiritual leaders not to scatter Christ's sheep, but to guard their own spirit and let Christ's Spirit guide them so they do not drive the flock away. It applies to associates who help a responsible leader follow false paths, showing that those who lead astray and become deceived are answerable to God. It applies also to ministers who left one worker to carry too many burdens, where neglect and unwise conduct added to his burden and the sheep suffered under unwise as well as false shepherds.