Looking Forward to The Lord’s Return
May 5, 2019
Commentary
Jeremiah summarized the unrighteous kings as being like shepherds who were destroying and scattering God’s sheep (v. 1). The shepherds deserved punishment because of the evil they had done (v. 2). But if God removed them, whom would He appoint to regather His sheep? Jeremiah gave a twofold answer. First, God Himself would gather the remnant of the people who were dispersed and would bring them back (v. 3). He would assume responsibility for Israel’s re-gathering. Second, God would raise up new shepherds over them who would tend and care for the people the way God intended (v. 4).
The branch of David through Jehoiachin had been “cut off.” However, God promised to raise up to David another King who would be a righteous Branch, that is, another member of the Davidic line (v. 5). Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this prediction. The Southern Kingdom (Judah) and the Northern Kingdom (Israel) will again be reunited as a single nation and will live in safety (v. 6) (Ezek. 37:15-28). Unlike Zedekiah, this coming King will live up to His name as Israel’s righteous God.
Having already mentioned the future restoration of Judah and Israel (v. 6), Jeremiah now said the restoration will be so dramatic that the people will no longer look back to the time when God brought them up out of Egypt (v. 7). The first Exodus will be minor in comparison with this new Exodus when God will bring the descendants of Israel out of all the countries where they have been and will restore them to their own land (v. 8).
Application
The Lord’s return may be very near. I want to be ready and anticipating his coming as I would be looking forward to someone coming to visit who is very dear to me.
Jeremiah 23:1– 8 (NET)
1 The Lord says, “The leaders of my people are sure to be judged. They were supposed to watch over my people like shepherds watch over their sheep. But they are causing my people to be destroyed and scattered.” 2 So the Lord God of Israel has this to say about the leaders who are ruling over his people: “You have caused my people to be dispersed and driven into exile. You have not taken care of them. So I will punish you for the evil that you have done. I, the Lord, affirm it! 3 Then I myself will regather those of my people who are still alive from all the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their homeland. They will greatly increase in number. 4 I will install rulers over them who will care for them. Then they will no longer need to fear or be terrified. None of them will turn up missing. I, the Lord, promise it!
5 “I, the Lord, promise that a new time will certainly come when I will raise up for them a righteous branch, a descendant of David. He will rule over them with wisdom and understanding and will do what is just and right in the land.
6 Under his rule Judah will enjoy safety and Israel will live in security. This is the name he will go by: ‘The Lord has provided us with justice.’
7 “So I, the Lord, say: ‘A new time will certainly come. People now affirm their oaths with, “I swear as surely as the Lord lives who delivered the people of Israel out of Egypt.” 8 But at that time they will affirm them with, “I swear as surely as the Lord lives who delivered the descendants of the former nation of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other lands where he had banished them.” At that time they will live in their own land.’”