The Branch from the Stump that Ties it all Together
14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’17 “For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, 18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”
Jeremiah 33:14–18 ESV
Jeremiah is reminding the people of a prophecy that was already given, but adding some encouragement from the Lord to it as he reminds them. He describes the coming king as a branch growing out of a stump. In the days of Jeremiah, as in the time of Jesus’ birth, the nation of Israel could only be described as a chopped up stump of a nation – not a fruitful tree. Fig trees in the middle east are grown like this on purpose, so a lot of the original audience and the continual Jewish audience would know what it looks like when a branch grows out of a stump and becomes mighty.
This branch is going to do some interesting things.
He Will Execute Justice and Righteousness
This man that comes from the line of the family of David is going to work out justice and righteousness in the land. That is a really tough balance. That is like being stern and kind. Jeremiah hears from God that this man that comes will be perfect at both justice – making things right and serving up what is deserved, as well as righteous – approved and right by God’s measure.
When you read the things that Jesus said when the Pharisees were trying to trap Him, you see that this is the man. Even soldiers let Him be and went back empty handed because “no one ever spoke like this man.” Jesus put justice and righteousness into effect and then by His Spirit continues their progress.
The Priests Will Never Lack a Man in God’s Presence
The High Priest was the connection of the people of Earth to the King of the Universe, by sacrifices, ritual duties, and intercessory rites prescribed by Moses in the Law. To have a High Priest in God’s presence meant that God was still caring about mankind and that mankind still had some hope.
In Hebrews, we read the details about Jesus being the High Priest forever before God. He is continually interceding for us, and since He has beaten death and sin, will continue doing so forever. Jesus is our connection to God and to this work there will be no end.
One of the biggest deals of the birth of Jesus is that so many of these prophecies, and the hopes of the Jewish people, were accomplished all at once in one single act. Like a movie that has 3 sub plots all tying together in the final battle, the birth of Emmanuel tied up the loose ends of sin, righteousness, injustice, hope, and peace all at once.
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