Jeremiah: The Righteous Branch

Jeremiah 23:5 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."

In Jeremiah 23, Jeremiah begins this chapter by issuing a warning to those leaders of God's people who would destroy God's flock from within. These are men who have neglected God's calling to lead Israel specifically. He then prophesies that a remnant of God's people will be gathered together again. They will be ruled by one called here the "Righteous Branch." This branch is a symbol of Christ's Millennial Kingdom.

When Jesus comes again one day, He will establish a Kingdom on this earth. Where the image of the branch comes in is this: the branch is a new plant that has been cut out of the old one. It is a shoot or a sprout growing out of the ground. While it is based out of the same kingdom and the same family, it is a new line, a new king, a new worship.

It was prophesied that one of the last kings of Israel, Jeconiah or Coniah, would not have a ruler come from his line anymore. And if Jesus were the biological son of Joseph that would have disqualified him from ruling. But Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, who did not descend from this cursed line, yet was still by right in the ruling line through his stepfather Joseph. This is where the righteous branch- the sprout- comes from. Christ comes to the earth to rule and to reign, fully in the right of His kingdom but making it new.

This is a prophecy, along with the prophecy of the virgin birth, is a great prophecy for us as Christians to know. Some would use this prophecy to say that Jesus Christ is not fit to be king because His father comes from this cursed line. But because we know that He was not the biological son of Joseph, we know that He is not disqualified. These two prophecies further show how much we can trust God and His Word. It is imperative that we continue to develop our trust in Him that our faith may never waiver, and this righteous branch, this new kingdom out of the old kingdom, is a great example of God's sovereignty and His ability to accomplish His will through the terrible actions of others. Coniah was an evil king, again, to the point where God cursed His seed from ever being able to be on the throne. But God worked to where His Son still has the right to sit on David's throne without this curse being upon Him. Is not our God amazing! Is not our God good! Is not our God righteous!