YAHWEH TSIDKENU JEREMIAH 23:1-6
This was spoken at what could be called the “funeral of a nation.” In that context, he announces a future day when the Lord Righteousness will be revealed. Jeremiah is called the “Weeping Jeremiah.”
BACKGROUND:
The nation began at Mount Sinai. Before that they were just a “family”.
Exodus 19… You will be my possession. They were to be in covenant with God. “All the earth is the Lord’s…” but in a unique way, this was God’s people. “Peculiar possession…” pocket money. As they walked out the covenant they were in a unique relationship to God. Secondly, a relationship of love for neighbor. Israel was in the middle of a dark and perverse world. They were to uphold God’s righteousness before the nations. They had a message. They were not called to be perfect. That’s why they had the sacrifices. They were to see their faults, but then turn to God for forgiveness. Righteousness was to be their “hallmark.” Israel did not keep the law. They were continually falling away. Remember especially the Book of Judges. They wanted to be just like all the nations around them. Saul… stood head and shoulders above David. Saul was the people’s choice, and yet the real covenant was to be in David, God’s choice. Solomon followed David…. Solomon was followed by Rehoboam…. Under Rehoboam, the nation divides because of his heavy handed behavior. The northern ten tribes called Israel…. the Southern two tribes called Judah. The covenant follows through with Judah. Israel went on the skids… went their own way. God sent the prophet Hosea, saying, “You are no longer my people! I am no longer your God! My covenant has been broken! Judgment will come!” Assyria comes and takes them captive. They are destroyed. Judah was not doing much better. Monassah brings Judah into the pits with all kinds of idolatry. Josiah the king brings revival. But not deeply enough. The seeds of Monassah begin to grow again. God sends Jeremiah to preach the “funeral service” of Judah.
Jer. 3:8 – Israel is dead, and what about Judah?
Nebuchadnezzar comes in to take Judah. Takes the nation into captivity. Daniel and Ezekial are two of those taken off into the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar. Back in Jerusalem, Jeremiah watches the demise of the nation. Mattaniah was the final king of Judah. He was a weak king, but his name meant “gift of God.” Nebuchadnezzar changes Mattaniah’s name to Zedekiah, which means “the righteousness of Yahweh.” As if to say, “Your supposed to be the righteousness of God, but look at you.” Jeremiah declares that God Himself will be the Shepherd. He will gather the remnant. God will raise up a “Righteous Branch.” He will raise up Yahweh Tsidkenu. God says the next King will be Righteousness Itself. No longer will there be a low for righteousness, but the King of Righteousness will come and BE righteousness for them and IN them. He will enter into them. The spirit of righteousness dwelling in us. So in the declaration that the covenant with Israel is broken and over, he is announcing the coming of a new covenant and a new Israel. Jer. 31:31-34 A new covenant that wipes out sin. That writes the law in the heart. They waited… they went into captivity… they waited… they remembered the word of Jeremiah… and then Jesus was born… a descendent of David on both lines of the family. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will be righteousness to us. John 16:8-11 All other religions say, “I will change so I can be accepted by God.” But in Christianity, Christ IS our righteousness. God says, “I will accept you, then I will change you!” Imputed and imparted righteousness. Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (NIV)