◄ What Does Jeremiah 33:15 Mean? ►

Jeremiah's clarion call to Judah was to repent of their sin and return to the Lord. The kingdom of Israel had been taken into slavery by the Assyrian nation, and the kingdom of Judah was following in the footsteps of her apostate 'sister'. Much of Jeremiah's ministry was calling the nation to repent of their sin, warning of Judah's inevitable defeat at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, and reporting on the devastating destruction of the holy city and sanctuary, while providing assurance that God would not forsake His errant people.

Perhaps the most significant section of Jeremiah's ministry is Chapter 31, where he prophesied about Israel's eventual restoration in the end-times. It was here that he revealed God's sovereign declaration to make a new and better Covenant with His people and reunite the house of Israel with the house of Judah, as one united nation under God's sovereign rule.

The truths that Jeremiah shared about the New Covenant are thrilling to both Israel and the Church, and we who believe in Christ for salvation know that this covenant was cut at Calvary, through the shed blood of Christ and will be fully and finally ratified when Jesus returns as King of Israel to set up His Millennial kingdom on earth.

In the chapters following his prophecy of the New Covenant, Jeremiah both chastens and comforts the people. He makes it clear that judgement will fall and the people will be scattered, while painting a magnificent picture of God's never-failing patience and grace towards them. In this passage, Jeremiah describes the supernational restoration of Israel and the eventual return of their glory, when the nation will once again be God's people and the Lord will be their God.

In Chapter 33, there are several encouraging promises given to God's people, concerning the restoration of all Israel, including the reuniting of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. He prophesies of the time when Jerusalem will dwell in safety. He speaks of the restoration of the Levitical priesthood and the resumption of their priestly duties in a restored Temple. He tells of a king from the royal house of David Who will rule over the nation of Israel and govern the world in righteousness.

Jeremiah gave the glorious proclamation about their Messiah-King in verse 15 when he wrote: "In those days, and at that time, I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land." The promises given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, are repeated and renewed in this exciting passage and bear witness that 'replacement theology' is a fallacious doctrine, and the teaching that the Christian Church has replaced Israel is a figment of man's arrogant imagination, that is spawned from the creative fancy of theologians who fail to "rightly divide the word of truth."

Prophetic scriptures abound concerning this Righteous Branch. In Isaiah we discover: "The Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and adornment of the surviving remnant of Israel." Zechariah informs us that God said, "I am going to bring in My servant the Branch," while in the Gospel of Luke we read: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Praise God that we know that the righteous branch of David is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who is God the Son.

Earlier in his writings, Jeremiah had identified this 'Branch of David' Who will execute justice and righteousness on the earth as: "The LORD our Righteousness," and that during the days of His reign, Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely. Isaiah also identified Him as: "The LORD our Righteousness," and further informs us: "Men will come to Him, and all who raged against Him will be put to shame."

In this beautiful passage, Jeremiah points to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Jeremiah identifies Him as the One Who will restore the royal line of David and the religious aspects of worship. He points to Christ as the Redeemer of His people, Israel: "In those days, and at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth. And He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. AND in those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is what she will be named: THE LORD Our Righteousness."

We who have trusted Christ for salvation and have had the Gospel revealed to us, the indwelling Holy Spirit to govern our lives, and the living Word to guide us into all truth, have already recognised that Jesus Christ alone is the fulfilment of Jeremiah's prophecy. Our eyes are already opened to the truth that Jesus is the righteous Branch of David Who will exercise justice and righteousness on the earth.

But a day is coming when the whole house of Israel and Judah; the united Kingdom of Israel, will collectively respond to the clarion call to repent, for the kingdom of heaven will once again be at hand, and Israel as a nation will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation and cry out in unison: "Blessed is HE WHO comes in the name of the Lord." 

In those days and at that time, Christ will return in the clouds of glory (with the recently raptured Church; you, and me, and every member of His Body). He will respond to Israel's cry for salvation when they cry, "HOSANNAH! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord." On that day and at that time Jesus, the righteous Branch of David, will set His feet on the Mount of Olives and establish His kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace on earth, for men of goodwill.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the encouraging truths in the book of Jeremiah that Christ, the righteous Branch of David, will return as King of kings to establish His kingdom and execute justice and righteousness on the earth. Thank You that I have already trusted Christ for my salvation. I pray for those who have not yet come to faith in Him. I pray for my family and friends who are so dear to me, but have not received salvation in Jesus yet. I also pray for those of the houses of Israel and Judah. Bring many in Your chosen nation of Israel to faith in Him. Prepare the hearts of Your people for the soon return of Christ to set up His kingdom. I pray this in Jesus' name and for His greater glory, AMEN.