Year 2, Week 14, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 14, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Jeremiah 33.

Today’s reading completes a segment of the Book of Jeremiah that serves as something of the central focus. While most of Jeremiah focuses on the sins of Judah and its punishment, chapters 30–33 describe a glorious, future salvation. This central segment divides into three major parts. The first section focused on the new covenant (chapters 30-31). The second spoke of the redemption of the land that had been defiled by Judah’s sins (chapter 32). The third concerns a new David (chapter 33). The first and third sections parallel each other. Jeremiah 33 unfolds while Jeremiah was still imprisoned: “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:2-3). In the previous chapter, Jeremiah had earnestly prayed to the LORD in the midst of his perplexities. Today’s reading provides further answers to Jeremiah’s struggle over the judgment that was falling upon Jerusalem: “Thus says the LORD: In this place of which you say, ‘It is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD: “‘Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land” (Jeremiah 33:10-11a). Judgment would not be the last Word.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the details pertaining to the emergence of a new Davidic King as a part of the LORD’s restoration of His people: “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. 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.’ “For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel” (Jeremiah 33:15-17). The line of David would remain. This is an important declaration in light of the LORD’s statements concerning the rejection of King Jehoiachin: “Thus says the LORD: “Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah” (Jeremiah 22:30). In one sense, the line of Davidic Kings did terminate; but in another sense, “a righteous Branch” would spring up from the line of David. Neither God’s promise to David, nor His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would fail: “Thus says the LORD: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them” (Jeremiah 33:25-26). The LORD’s promises might not be fulfilled in the manner that the people expected, but they would not fail to come to fruition.

Coupled with the emergence of a Davidic King is the restoration and transformation of the people: “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me” (Jeremiah 33:6-8). Once again, worship would flourish in the midst of the people as the Davidic King would foster a new era of praise: “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…As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me” (Jeremiah 33:18,22). And this joyous praise would not simply go up in Jerusalem; it would go forth before the nations: "And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it” (Jeremiah 33:9). Earlier, the destruction of Jerusalem was said to be the talk of the nations: “And many nations will pass by this city, and every man will say to his neighbor, “Why has the LORD dealt thus with this great city?” And they will answer, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods and served them” (Jeremiah 22:8-9). But when the new David King emerges and the LORD restores His people to Himself, the nations would witness the saving power of God and be drawn to Him: “At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart” (Jeremiah 3:17).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe