Jeremiah 23:5-8 – Being God's Kingdom people

Two key elements can be seen in any prophecy. There would be a message of judgment as well as a message of hope. So in Jeremiah 23:1-4, we see a message of judgment on the shepherds of Judah who did not responsibly discharge their duties. They not only led the people astray but also exploited them. God was going to deal with them for they in a sense, were responsible for the predicament of the people. They did not lead well. Hence the people were led s astray ending up being dispersed and brought into captivity. But the message of hope for the people was that God would get a remnant back from captivity to their home in the promised land. Continuing in Jeremiah 23:5-8, God promised to raise up new leadership to bring about the restoration of His people. This took place under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

In particular, God promised to raise up a leader from the line of David. This seems quite clear that this was a prophecy concerning the coming of Christ Jesus. His human line could be traced to the line of David. He would be the righteous branch of David. Verse 5 said that “He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.” Jesus Christ, we learn from the New Testament is the embodiment of the righteousness of God. He is the Messiah, the Lord of Righteousness. We see the fulfillment of the prophecy in Christ.

First Peter 2:9 tells us that we, the believers of Jesus Christ are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light….” The saved and secure Judah and Israel in verse 6 is a likely picture of the eschatological community of the last days. The chosen race of God would comprise not only Jews but also people of all nations whom Jesus the Messiah had drawn and continue to draw to Himself. Here in this new community, He reigns in righteousness and justice.

Verses 7-8 allude to the exodus under Moses. However, here Jeremiah seems to be talking about another exodus. Just as God brought the people of Judah out of their captivity and restored them to the promised land, He through Christ would lead His people out of Satan’s dominion into the Kingdom of His marvelous light, both now on earth and eventually in eternity.  

What a privilege it is for us to be made a member of this community of God’s people. But as we have said before privilege comes with responsibility as well. We are drawn into the community not just to rest on our laurels but to proclaim the excellencies of Him who had called us out of the darkness. We are to declare His praise all the days of our lives. Let’s do it!