◄ What Does Jeremiah 33:16 Mean? ►

'In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the LORD is our righteousness.'

Jeremiah 33:16(NASB)

Verse of the Day

While the covenant given to Abraham was unconditional, the covenant God made with the children of Israel was conditional. It was dependent on the people obeying the Law given to Moses. God promised them astonishing material blessings if they were obedient to His Word, but severe punishment would result if they were rebellious. For many centuries, Israel broke their covenant with the Lord, Who graciously raised up numerous prophetic voices to warn them of impending judgement if they did not turn from their sin and honour the covenant they made with Him.

Sadly, the warnings of judgement fell on deaf ears, and the people of Israel scoffed at God's prophets and continued in their apostasy. The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, but He is also a God of justice and Israel's disobedience had to be punished. And so, the nation was dispersed. First, the northern and then the southern kingdoms were conquered, and the times of the Gentiles began when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. During these times, the prophetic voices of warning often provided incredible comfort, and Jeremiah 34-36 contains some wonderful messages of consolation and hope for a future restoration of the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Jeremiah was the prophet who witnessed the destruction of the Holy City of Jerusalem. He wept as he watched the beautiful temple of God being destroyed by fire, when the Shekinah glory of God reluctantly exited the Holy of Holies, as recorded in the book of Ezekiel. But Jeremiah 33:16 provides some of the most precious assurances for the nation of Israel, for we read: "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which the city of Jerusalem will be called: 'the LORD is our Righteousness'."

While Israel broke the conditions of their covenant with God, Jeremiah speaks of a new, unconditional covenant that God will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. A time is coming when the new covenant that was cut at the Cross, will be ratified. He will plant them back in the land He promised to Abraham, and He will put His law within them and write it on their hearts and minds.

A day is coming, at the end of the Tribulation, when the harlotry of the apostate nation of Israel in the city of Jerusalem, will cease, and they will acknowledge their Messiah. Zechariah tells of this time when God will pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication on the house of David and all believing Israelites, and they will mourn and weep bitterly because they crucified their Saviour, the King of Glory.

A day is coming when the antisemitism that has ravaged Israel for well over 2000 years, will finally end. Israel will become the head of the nations and not the tail, and Judah will enjoy deliverance and salvation because Jesus, the 'Branch of Righteousness', their righteous Messiah and King of kings, will sit on David's throne in the holy city of Jerusalem and rule the entire world in righteousness and peace. Yes! He will execute judgment over the nations with equity and justice. Zechariah gives us some additional information about this glorious time: "On that day, 'HOLY TO THE LORD' will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the house of the LORD will be like the sprinkling bowls before the altar."

Jeremiah saw through the telescope of time to that future time of peace and prosperity when Judah and all believing Israel will be saved, the Holy City will dwell in safety, the wolf will lie down with the lamb, and the disunited and apostate kingdoms of Israel and Judah will repent of their apostasy and be restored into a united, God-fearing nation. And Jesus, the personification of righteousness and Messiah of Israel, will sit on the throne of His father David, ruling the world with justice and peace.

In that day, yet future, Jerusalem will be called 'the LORD is our Righteousness', because Jesus will be King of kings, and God's chosen people will once again reflect His beauty in their hearts and minds.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God Whose Word is settled in heaven, and that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. What comfort and hope we have in Christ Jesus, Who will bring righteousness and peace to this broken world when He returns to earth to set up His kingdom of righteousness and peace. I praise You that a day is coming when you will finally ratify the New Covenant with Israel that was cut at Calvary's Cross, two thousand years ago. You will finally write Your laws on their hearts, and Jerusalem will be called 'the Lord our Righteousness'. Thank You that by grace through faith in Him, I have already become Your child and that I have peace with God. Thank You for Your unconditional love and grace, and help me to live a life that honours You in thought, word, and deed. I ask all these things in the name of Jesus, AMEN.