Their land was parched, and their pastures withered because of their adulteries with other gods. Their prophets committed adultery and lived a lie. Their prophets strengthened the hands of evildoers, so that no evildoer turned from doing evil. Their leaders were like Sodom, and the people themselves were like Gomorrah to God. Cities that He destroyed for their wickedness! Their leaders said to those who despised God, “The Lord says: You will have peace.” They said to all who followed the stubbornness of their own hearts, “No harm will come to you.” [1]
God told Jeremiah that if these leaders had stood in His council, they would have proclaimed His words to His people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. This is what good shepherds do. [2]
The good news is that God had a plan to save His people. He promised to raise-up for His people a righteous Branch. A King, who would reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land! The name this king shall be called by is “The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” [3]
The Righteous Branch is Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the most powerful king. He calls people to turn from evil and gives those who turn from evil His Holy Spirit. By His indwelling Holy Spirit people obey God, the nation changes, and God gives His blessing.
[1] Jeremiah 23:10, 14, 17,
[2] Jeremiah 23:22
[3] Jeremiah 23:5-6
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