Crucial to the Lord’s restoration of his people is the fact that he will give them the kind of leadership they have always needed. The Lord will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing.
This is in total contrast to the kings the Lord has spoken of in the rest of this section (Jeremiah 21:1–23:8). This prophecy was partially fulfilled under rulers such as Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah after the people of Judah returned from exile. But even under these leaders, the promises spoken of in Jeremiah 23:3–4 were seen in a very limited way. The true fulfillment of this promise lay in a much greater king who was still to come. The next few verses speak of this king.1
4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.