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Home , Jeremiah 23

Sunday Sermon Mission Impossible May 24th, 2020 Part 15 23:1-8 Brighter Days Ahead

Introduction: -23 describe the real mess was in because they refused to follow the guidelines God had given them from His Word. They were on the brink of destruction and they couldn’t see it…or wouldn’t see it. We know from history and Scripture that God exercised his divine judgment on them via the Babylonian captivity and subsequent exile. But in the midst of this terrible plight, God declares that He will gather the remnant of His flock and bring them back where they will be fruitful and increase in number. Furthermore, He will place good shepherds (leaders/kings) over them who will protect and guide them so that they will no longer be afraid (Jer. 23:3-4).

On top of that good news, God gives us some amazing words from verses 5 and 6. Some day He will raise up, a "righteous Branch," a "King," from the lineage of who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days, will be saved and will live in safety. Then God specifically identifies this future Person by saying, "This is the name by which he will be called, Jehovah our righteousness." Listen folks, we know the world is a mess right now with countries in chaos, leadership in short supply and people grasping for hope and healing wherever they can find it. This text is a message of hope for the future, not just for Israel, but for all those who are followers of Jesus.

I. GOD'S STANDARD AND WARNING FOR THE KINGS (22:1-9). II. GOD'S RECORD OF THEIR PERFORMANCE (22:10-23:2).

A. Jehoiahaz, the son of good king (10-17) was characterized by materialism and was sent into captivity to and died there (2 Chron. 36:1-4).

B. , his brother, reigned in his place (vv. 18-23; see also 2 Chron. 36:4-8). He also was taken captive by the king of Egypt.

C. His son Jehoiachin reigned in his place (2 Chron. 36:9-10). He was taken captive by the king of (vv. 24-30).

D. His brother reigned in his place (2 Chron. 36:11-21). He was the king at the time that Jeremiah spoke. Under him, all the nation was taken captive. The sad story is summed up in 23:1-2.

III. GOD'S PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE (23:3-8). ~God did not abandon His people, however. He promises good shepherds (vv. 3-4), a good King (vv. 5-6), and a future deliverance (vv. 7-8)

Jesus is the only hope for the Nations…now and forever more!

I. Pay attention to God’s future plan – 23:4 ~behold – pay close attention

A. Timing – in the days to come…

1. Not the remnant from Babylon under Ezra, Nehemiah or Zerubbabel 2. Not the first advent of Jesus parse but that’s where it all begins…see Galatians 4:4-5…some 600 years from this prophecy

At His first advent Christ, David's righteous Branch (Luke 1:31-33), did not "execute justice and judgment in the earth," but was crowned with thorns and crucified. Neither was Israel the nation restored, nor did the Jewish people say, "The Lord our righteousness." See Romans 10:3. The prophecy is yet to be fulfilled (Acts 15:14- 17). Jeremiah and the other prophesied of the future restoration and conversion of Israel.

B. Title – a king shall reign…

1. a descendant of David: ~The ancestors of David include Jesse, Boaz, Judah, , , , Shem, Noah, Seth and Adam.

2. a righteous branch or decendent: ~The “Branch” will be a king. Not all the descendants of David were monarchs. In fact, only twenty of them in the Old Testament were. But the One spoken of in our text will be a king

The term "righteous Branch" (23:5) is a Messianic term which refers specifically to the 's position as King of kings during His future kingdom reign (cf. :14-17; :2; :8; 6:12-13).

*Isaiah 4:2 says, "In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel."

*:1 says, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."

*Zechariah 3:8 says, "Behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH."

* :12 says, "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD."

*Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn. 14:9, NIV). *He also declared, "My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the One who glorifies me" (Jn. 8:54, NIV). *Before Abraham was born, I AM!" (Jn. 8:58, NIV). " *We are not stoning you for any of these, replied the Jews, but for blasphemy, because you a mere man, claim to be God" (Jn. 10:33, NIV). The evidence clearly shows that men in Jesus day understood He was claiming to be God.

II. Be aware of God’s holy standard – 23:5 ~What a contrast to the unrighteous kings of chapter 22…His character of righteousness is prophesied three times in our text: He is “a righteous Branch” who “shall execute … justice [i.e., righteousness]” and who is called “The Lord Our Righteousness” (23:5-6). The other two descriptions of His piety serve His righteousness:

1. He shall prosper, act wisely or rule with wisdom (5)

2. and “execute judgment” or justice for that which is right (5).

Ultimately, Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 can only be fulfilled at the second coming of Christ. Then, and only then, "Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely." :26 says, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." A remnant did return to Judah after the 70-year Babylonian captivity, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi give us many of the details. But Jeremiah and the other prophets prophesied of a greater regathering at the second coming of Christ (23:5-8).

In Romans 3:21-26 we discover how Jesus is our righteousness:

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Are we aware that God has a plan beyond this life?

*Personal Plan – Eternal Life *Nationwide Plan – Israel and all the Nations

Are we prepared to meet God as rightful King of the Universe? *Idols must be destroyed

Are we living in His righteousness while on this earth? *Imputed – legal – JC – propitiation (satisfies God’s wrath) against sin *Imparted – living – HS – provider for transformation of heart and life…in accordance with God’s Word