Jeremiah

Jeremiah 33: Jesus is the LORD our righteousness

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the LORD’s healing and the Branch of David, let us bow before Him together. Ask Him to heal our hearts, to be with us as we read, and to show us Christ, the LORD our righteousness.

In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.

Psalms 86:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You heal Your people and send the Branch of David, and help us to trust Jesus as our righteousness. Show us Christ, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jeremiah is still shut up in the court of the guard when the LORD speaks to him a second time (verse 1). He tells Jeremiah to call on Him, and He promises to show him great things that he does not know (verse 3). Houses in Jerusalem were broken down to build walls against the enemy’s siege mounds and the sword (verse 4). The LORD promises to heal the city, restore its people and pardon all their sin (verses 6 to 8). Jerusalem will be a name of joy before the nations, and the voices of joy and gladness will be heard again (verses 9 to 11). The LORD will raise up a Branch from David, and the city will be called the LORD our righteousness (verses 15 and 16). The LORD keeps His covenant with David as sure as day and night, and He will have mercy on His people (verses 20 to 26).

As you read Jeremiah 33, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD heals His people and sends the Branch of David, who is the LORD our righteousness.

Jeremiah is still shut up in the guard’s court while Babylon’s army attacks Jerusalem, and the LORD speaks to him again. The LORD had hidden His face from the city because of its wickedness, yet He promises health, cure and pardon (verses 5 to 8). He says He will cleanse His people from all their iniquity and pardon every sin they committed against Him (verse 8). The LORD promises a Branch of righteousness who will grow up for David, a King from David’s own family (verse 15). This King will do justice and righteousness in the land, so Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell safely (verses 15 and 16). The city is given the name “Yahweh our righteousness,” the same name the Branch is given in Jeremiah 23 verse 6 (verse 16). The New Testament calls Jesus the Son of David (Matthew 1 verse 1). It says God’s righteousness comes to sinners through faith in Him (Romans 3 verse 22). The LORD’s covenant with David and the Levites is as sure as day and night, so this promise will stand (verses 20 and 21).

How does Jeremiah 33 show us that the LORD heals His people and sends the Branch of David, who is our righteousness?

The LORD heals His people and forgives all their sin.

The LORD promises health and cure, and He will pardon every iniquity His people have committed (verses 6 to 8). The city was broken by war because of sin, yet the LORD will restore it (verses 4 and 7). Jesus heals sinners who come to Him.

God sends a righteous King from David’s family.

The LORD says He will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David (verse 15). This King will do justice and righteousness in the land, and the LORD keeps His promise to David (verses 15 and 17). Jesus is the Son of David.

Jesus is the LORD our righteousness.

The LORD gives the city the name “Yahweh our righteousness” (verse 16). We cannot make ourselves right with God by our own works. Christ’s righteousness is given to all who trust Him.

Memorize

In those days, and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David; and he will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 33:15

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting to make me right with God, instead of Jesus?

Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the guard when the LORD said, “Call to me, and I will answer you” (verse 3). He promised to heal a broken city and to send a King from David’s family. The name He gave the city, “Yahweh our righteousness” (verse 16), points straight to Jesus.

We could never make ourselves right before a holy God, and our sin has made us unclean. Jesus, the Son of David, lived the holy life we could not live. He went to the cross, bore the punishment our sin deserved, and rose again on the third day. His work is finished, and nothing more can be added to it. His righteousness is the only righteousness that can stand before God, and it is received by faith.

So come to Jesus, the LORD our righteousness. Turn from your sin, and trust Him to clothe you in His own righteousness. Every sinner who comes to Him will be made right with God, and He will never turn that person away. To each one who comes, He still says, “Call to me, and I will answer you.”

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD heals His people and sends Jesus, the Branch of David, who is our righteousness. Parents, you may want to explain in your own words what it means to be made right with God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He heals His people and sends the Branch of David, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

Psalms 119:90

Lord, thank You that You heal Your people, pardon their sin, and give us Jesus, the Branch of David, who is our righteousness. Forgive us for trying to make ourselves right with You. Help each of us to turn from sin, trust Jesus, and rest in His righteousness this week. Amen.