Jeremiah

MEMORY VERSE: “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.” —Jeremiah 33:15

JEREMIAH 31:15-17

WHILE Jeremiah is often referred to as the prophet of doom, he was used by the Lord to record some very comforting messages, one of which is found in this passage. In brief, it is an assurance to mothers who have lost their children in death that these children will be rescued from “the land of the enemy,” which is death, and that the work of the mothers in bringing them into the world will be rewarded.

The prophecy is quoted in Matthew 2:17,18, and applied to the children who were destroyed by Herod at the time of Jesus’ birth; but in principle it can be taken as a wonderful assurance of the awakening from death of all children. The expression in the passage descriptive of death is that “they are not”; that is, they had temporarily gone out of existence. The children destroyed by Herod did not go to heaven, nor do any children go to heaven when they die. They fall asleep in death, and will be awakened from that long sleep in the morning of earth’s new day, which is ushered in by the rising of “the Sun of righteousness.”—Mal. 4:2; Ps. 30:5

There is more meaning attached to Herod’s effort to destroy the child Jesus than appears on the surface. Jesus came into the world as the “Seed” of promise. Satan was opposed to the plan of God centered in this promised “Seed,” and has made every possible effort to destroy it. The slaying of the children at the time of Jesus’ birth in order to destroy Jesus was one of these efforts.

JEREMIAH 33:14-16

HERE Jeremiah prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus. Through Jeremiah this is referred to as “that good thing” which the Lord promised to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Beginning with Abraham, God made promise after promise to assure his people that he would send a deliverer. This promise was finally narrowed down to the house of David; that the great King would come through his family, and sit upon the throne of David. Jesus was this great One.—Luke 1:31-33

As our memory verse indicates, this promised Messiah was also to be called a “Branch of righteousness” which would grow up unto David, One which would execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In harmony with this is Isaiah’s prophecy: “There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove [margin, or, argue] with equity for the meek of the earth.”—ch. 11:14

Jesus will not sit upon the literal throne of David, but because of the Lord’s love for David he honored him by having his name attached to the spiritual rulership of Messiah’s kingdom. Together with Jesus in that rulership are those who suffer and die with him during the Gospel Age. These will constitute the “New Jerusalem” and in this promise are given the name, “The Lord our Righteousness.” (vs. 16; Rev. 21:9,10) It is only through the righteousness of Christ that they are thus exalted.—Ps. 89:15,16

JEREMIAH 31:31-34

CONTRARY to the understanding of many, this promised “New Covenant” is not operative at the present time. It is a covenant which will be given to the people during the Millennial Age. It will first of all be made with those who were disobedient to the original Law Covenant given to Israel at the hands of Moses. But it will be extended until finally it will embrace all the willing and obedient of mankind, who, when enlightened, manifest a desire to know and to do God’s will.—Ezek. 16:60-63

One important difference between the New Covenant and the old Law Covenant is that its laws will be written in the “inward parts” of the people and in their “hearts” This denotes the eradication of sin and selfishness, and a restoration to the full divine image in which Adam was created. This will be the work of God in the earth throughout the kingdom age, with Jesus acting as Mediator of the Covenant, in association with his faithful followers of the present age. This is one of the promises of “restitution” referred to by Peter in Acts 3:19.21.

QUESTIONS

What is the full significance of Jeremiah 31:15-17?

Who is the Branch referred to in Jeremiah 33:15?

To whom does the expression in verse 16, “The Lord our Righteousness,” apply?

When will the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 be made with the people, and with whom will it first be made?

Name one difference between this covenant and the old Law Covenant.

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