making the scriptures plain

Notes

Jeremiah lived during the darkest days of Judah’s history, when the people turned to other gods and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. Judah belonged to God. The nation was His bride, an unfaithful bride; and Jesus was heart-broken. But in the Book of Jeremiah there is hope even in the midst of the greatest darkness, because Jesus loves His people and He is faithful.

In Revelation Jesus is called ‘the Word of God’. Jesus, the Son of the Godhead, is the One who communicates with mankind. Through Jeremiah, Jesus urges His people not to boast about wisdom, power or riches, but only about their knowledge of Him and His redeeming love for the world. And to Jeremiah, as His servant, God’s words are words of joy.

The Lord was going to raise up a righteous descendant of King David’s line who would rule with wisdom, justice and righteousness throughout the land. And that descendant is ‘The Lord Our Righteousness’. Thus more of the mystery of God unfolds - the establishment of the kingship of David forever is made possible because Jesus, the Lord Our Righteousness, is a Branch out of David.

The Lord revealed to Jeremiah that He would watch over the exiles who He sent from Judah to Babylon. He would bring them back to Jerusalem again, and build them up. Moreover He would give them hearts that recognize Him as the LORD. They would be His people, and He would be their God, for they would return to Him wholeheartedly. They would serve the LORD their God and their king descended from David - the One He was going to raise up for them.

Again Jesus reassures the people that, although destruction was coming to God’s people, He would lead home the returning remnant of Israel with great care, for He was their Father. Then there would be joy and celebration. Jesus hears Rachel crying in Ramah, weeping for her children who are gone. But they would come back from ‘the enemy’s land’. Here Jeremiah predicts Satan's attempt to destroy David’s lineage when the children of Bethlehem were slaughtered by King Herod.

The Lord promises to make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah., not like the old one which their ancestors broke, though He loved them as a husband loves his wife. In this new covenant, the Lord would put His instructions deep within them, and write them on their hearts. He would be their God, and they would be His people. Then everyone, from the least to the greatest, would know the Lord. He would forgive their wickedness, and would never again remember their sins.

Just in case we may feel that these words are only for Israel and Judah, Jesus reminds Jeremiah that He is the God of all the peoples of the world, and nothing is too hard for Him. He can save even me.

He will do for Israel and Judah all the good things He has promised them. He will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line who will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be His name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’

Through the sad stories of apostasy and exile in the Book of Jeremiah, there threads a message of hope – Jesus loves His people as a husband loves his wife; He is well able to save and restore; He is coming as King on David’s throne; He will write His law on our hearts so that we will know Him, be forgiven and not turn away again. Praise His name – ‘the Lord Our Righteousness’.

The Lord Our Righteousness

Jer.9.24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

The joy and rejoicing of mine heart

Jer.15.16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

The Branch of righteousness

Jer.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.

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Jer.23.6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

An heart to know me

Jer.24.7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

They shall serve the LORD

Jer.30.9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

Rachel weeping for her children

Jer.31.9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Lamentation

Jer.31.15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

I will make a new covenant

Jer.31.31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

I took them by the hand

Jer.31.32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

I will put my law

Jer.31.33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The God of all flesh

Jer.32.27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

I will perform that good thing

Jer.33.14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
Jer.33.15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.

Judah be saved

Jer.33.16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.