“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
7 “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ 8 but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”
Lying Prophets
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me;
all my bones shake;
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the Lord
and because of his holy words.
10 For the land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse the land mourns,
and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.
Their course is evil,
and their might is not right.
11 “Both prophet and priest are ungodly;
even in my house I have found their evil,
declares the Lord.
12 Therefore their way shall be to them
like slippery paths in the darkness,
into which they shall be driven and fall,
for I will bring disaster upon them
in the year of their punishment,
declares the Lord.
13 In the prophets of Samaria
I saw an unsavory thing:
they prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.
14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen a horrible thing:
they commit adultery and walk in lies;
they strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from his evil;
all of them have become like Sodom to me,
and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”
15 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets:
“Behold, I will feed them with bitter food
and give them poisoned water to drink,
for from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”
16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”
18 For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord
to see and to hear his word,
or who has paid attention to his word and listened?
19 Behold, the storm of the Lord!
Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest;
it will burst upon the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back
until he has executed and accomplished
the intents of his heart.
In the latter days you will understand it clearly.
21 “I did not send the prophets,
yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
yet they prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my council,
then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their deeds.
23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.
33 “When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you shall say to them, ‘You are the burden, and I will cast you off, declares the Lord.’ 34 And as for the prophet, priest, or one of the people who says, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ I will punish that man and his household. 35 Thus shall you say, every one to his neighbor and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36 But ‘the burden of the Lord’ you shall mention no more, for the burden is every man's own word, and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37 Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38 But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have said these words, “The burden of the Lord,” when I sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’” 39 therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. 40 And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’” Jeremiah 23 ESV
Jeremiah 23: 1-8 The Righteous Branch
This is what the Lord says:
“Record this man as if childless,
a man who will not prosper in his lifetime,
for none of his offspring will prosper,
none will sit on the throne of David
or rule anymore in Judah.” Jeremiah 22:30
Starting with the last verse of the previous chapter, an important note:
Write...childless. Jeconiah did have offspring (1 Chronicles 3: 17-18), but he was reckoned childless in the sense that he had no sons who would reign ("sitting on the throne..."). The curse continued in his descendants down to Joseph, the husband of Mary. How could Jesus then be the Messiah when his father was this curse? It was because Joseph was not involved in the blood line of Jesus since Jesus was virgin born (Matt. 1:12). Jesus' blood right to the throne of David came through Mary from Nathan, Solomon's brother, not Solomon (Jeconiah's line) thus bypassing this curse (Luke 3:31-32). Cf. Jer. 36:30. - J Mac Study Bible
1-4. Woe to the shepherds - They held titles either in government as kings or governors, in the temple as priest, scribes, and about the land there were prophets. God, not being a respecter of persons, may ask that we render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and also that we pray for those who have rule over us, but He will still judge them based upon the integrity of the office. He commanded that Israel's rulers rule justly, that they do not lead the people into more grievous error, the same for the prophets, priests and teachers. Abuse of power is a frightening thing, that God lets you go thus far, because you will have no authority in eternity.
You have not attended - It was not a position of celebrity, rolling out the red carpet, but actually leading them to peaceful pastures, providing for their defense from other nations, and dealing with the wrongdoers at home. You can't be a good king and lead people in a manner displeasing to God. A king was supposed to do justice. The priest were supposed to give godly counsel to the kings, keep the law of God before the people, and attend the temple, reading, sacrifice and teaching. Prophets were not to speak of their own, but to say what God said, not twisting it, and never seeking the office for selfish gain. They were reformers, always calling the people back to God's word. To be a shepherd is to lay down one's life, to put away the pull of popular opinion, the need to be liked, and to give people what they need in order to be great, rather than what they want, which will only make you great in their eyes, and only for a little while. It's not a call to ego, but a call to servitude.
…16Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”… John 2: 16-18
Then I will gather the remnant of My flock - Israel was in Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, and eventually all over the world. It's important to get this stuff, God's relationship with them, the covenants, and if you take the whole counsel of God, then this will help your doctrine, your eschatology, and your understanding of the gospel. Israel is never going to save themselves, mankind will never produce a ruler or system that is godly and without the taint of sin. All of mankind is spiritually still born, you must be born again.
The modern-day miracle of Israel becoming an independent nation once again, after some 2,500 years, is an initial fulfillment of these great promises. We say initial because Israel is definitely gathered back to the land, but presently in unbelief. - E Word
…16Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’ 17Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’ 18When they return to it, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations.…
…19And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, 20so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. 21But as for those whose hearts pursue detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”… Ezekiel 11: 16-21
I will set shepherds over them - They will have true spiritual leaders, people that are devoted to God's word and that properly divided. Leaders who are not respecters of persons but lovers of God, Who loves justice, truth and righteousness.
…27“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.… Matthew 19: 27-29
…2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church?… 1 Corinthians 6: 2-4
When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch - This is speaking of Messiah, and though Judah has sinned, and Solomon's direct line is cut off from the throne, yet God's own Son will come to earth to add humanity to His deity and be born of a virgin in the line of David. This goes all the way back to the garden, God's plan all along.
…2On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel’s survivors. 3 Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy— all in Jerusalem who are recorded among the living— 4when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.… Isaiah 4: 2-4
1Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. 3And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear,…
…4but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. 5Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist. 6The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them.… Isaiah 11: 1-6
…7“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. 8Hear now, O high priest Joshua, you and your companions seated before you, who are indeed a sign. For behold, I am going to bring My servant, the Branch. 9See the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave on it an inscription, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.… Zechariah 3: 7-9
He shall reign as king and deal wisely - God's people, His sheep, will have a new heart and with that a desire to follow the true shepherd, Who is Christ. In other words, they will be born again. Jesus will not falter, will not lack for the right words or judgment, and He will always rule justly. In the Millennial kingdom, people will come from all corners of the earth, like we saw in the shadow of Solomon, to hear Christ's wisdom. He will settle disputes directly, and will carry out justice with no other motive than to do right, to do justice, to display the glory of God's righteousness. Israel will become His ambassadors, light to the rest of the world, as they were intended. Christ must first come and suffer as a substitute for His sheep according to the Scripture, and that has been fulfilled at Christ's first coming.
…17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.… Hebrews 11: 17-19
…18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” 19But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.… Genesis 17: 18-20
…17I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. 18And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.… Genesis 22: 17-19
The Lord is our righteousness - So true, for we are born dead in our trespasses and sins, and there is none righteous, not even one. The wages of sin was death, and so Messiah would come first to conquer sin and death, by living a holy and just life, like those He came to save had not, and then by giving His life as a ransom for many. Marvelously, though He died, death could not hold Him, for He had not earned the wage, their was no sin in Him. He was promised at the fall, and that word of God was what held back complete destruction and paved the way that His elect could be saved. None by their own righteousness, but by the Lord.
14So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly will you go, and dust you will eat, all the days of your life. 15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3: 14-15
The phrase THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS is only two words in Hebrew. “Jehovah Tsidkenu. This is a most mellifluous and sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ, importing his Godhead, as the righteous Branch of David did his manhood.” (Trapp)
ii. Yahweh Tsidkenu “is probably a play on the name of Zedekiah [which means], My righteousness is Yahweh.” (Thompson) “Jeremiah switched Zedekiah’s name around to make his pun. Zedekiah was called ‘Righteousness is the Lord,’ but the Messiah would be called ‘the LORD our Righteousness.’“ (Ryken)
iii. As a Messianic reference, Yahweh Tsidkenu is strong evidence of the deity of the Messiah – He is Yahweh. “The Jews understood the name in v.6b to be that of the Messiah. The Targum reads, ‘The Messiah of the righteous,’ or ‘The Messiah of righteousness’… They acknowledged the two words to be the name of the Messiah.” (Feinberg)
…29so that no one may boast in His presence. 30It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”… 1 Corinthians 1: 29-31
…20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21
They shall no longer say - Israel will no longer be only the people delivered from Egypt but also from Babylon. They will have good leaders like Nehemiah and Ezra, who will rebuild the temple and insist on Israel's returning to the God that purchased them. These pictures will all point to an ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
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