“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.” – Jeremiah 23:5
Just when things were getting darkest, God promised He would one day send the Light of the World! The kingdom of Judah was nearing its end. It was corrupt, idolatrous, and sinful from top to bottom. God had declared His coming judgment through warfare, conquest, fire, and exile. Jerusalem would soon be destroyed by the Babylonian Empire. Some would be forcibly taken to Babylon for 70 years of servitude. They were the ones with a future. Most others would die. Israel would soon cease to exist as a nation. And yet, God wasn’t finished with Israel!
Amidst the Lord’s declaration of a dark and painful near-term future, He promised a glorious future beyond that. Once the destruction and exile brought a small faithful remnant into deeper relationship and obedience to Him… Once He made empires rise and fall… In the fullness of time… God would send the Branch of David. His eternal Son, Jesus Christ, would step into this world, born of a virgin, descended from King David in an earthly sense, but also fully, completely, eternally God.
The true, eternal, just, righteous, merciful King of Kings and Lord of Lords would come! He would be anointed king not by a priest or military conquest but by His own blood shed on a cross for the forgiveness of sins and a glorious resurrection from the dead. Jesus is the Branch of David. Jesus is the eternal, righteous King of the Universe. The promise made in the darkest time will shine brightest forever. His Kingdom will never end. His justice and righteousness are perfect. His authority is absolute. He is the only King worthy of your undivided loyalty and submission. Praise God for the promise and the reality of Jesus! #FollowJesus