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. 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. Jeremiah 23:5-6 KJV
Israel was facing complete destruction. They had a rebellious king who would lead the nation into the ground. The Temple would be destroyed, Jerusalem destroyed, and the nation led off by Babylon into captivity, but God still promised them a future: that’s grace, undeserved favor. A future King, in the line of David, will bring salvation to all of Israel. His name: the righteous Branch and the Lord Our Righteousness. These are references to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only does He guarantee salvation for Israel yet in the future, He guarantees salvation for us in the present, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, when we put our trust in Him as Savior, we are made righteous in Him.
Lord, You are indeed our righteousness for we have no righteousness in ourselves. We are sinners without hope in the world. Like Israel of old, our only hope is in You.
