Now this is His name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 23:6, NKJV)
Through His prophet, Jeremiah, God pronounced ‘woe’ on the false shepherds of Israel. Rather than caring for the flock, they had neglected the sheep. Rather than tending to the needs of God’s people, they had driven them away.
In response, God would not only deal with the false shepherds. He would raise up faithful shepherds who would gather the sheep, feed and protect them, and lead them in paths of life.
Yet, these good shepherds are not God’s ultimate blessing. There would be yet a day when God would “raise to David a Branch of righteousness.” He would be a king who would “reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth” (Jer. 23:5). This Shepherd/King would bring salvation. He will be called “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 23:6).
We pull back the curtain of history future to hear the voice of this righteous Shepherd/King. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:14–15).
In this Good Shepherd we will never be scattered, never go hungry, never be threatened, and never be disappointed.
- In what way is Jesus a man after God’s own heart that David was not?
- How does Jesus as the faithful shepherd bring comfort to your sin-weary soul?
