By Pastor Bob Lawrenz
With the many chapters of the Old Testament, Jeremiah 33 is among the most forward-looking chapters, not so much in detail, but in generous helpings of hope for a people who are losing their homeland. This is a timely chapter for the Jews of that day!
Living without hope is a nearly impossible task. Hopelessness leads to depression, which leads to more hopelessness, and then a person is on a revolving cycle, their depression getting worse and worse as hopelessness also builds. That’s why this chapter is so vital for us even today. Chapter 33 leads us to a view of “The Davidic Kingdom” for Jews, and the Millennial Kingdom for Christians.
A Son of David, descended from the Tribe of Judah will take the Throne of David, and it will be a great blessing for the Jews and the Gentiles. That same Son of David will come again, just as He promised, and will reign from David’s Throne, restoring the land and the people, and reconciling all things to Himself. It will be a time of great blessing to all mankind.
This chapter brings us to the prophetic fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant, spoken by God all the way back in Genesis 12; Verse 3 of Genesis 12 closes with this phrase: “…and in thee, shall all families of the Earth be blessed.”
What does all this mean? It means hope restored for all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike! Jeremiah’s words given by God teach us to wait on the Lord because His promises like this one are yet ahead.
And for today’s believers, we are tempted to wonder where God is, in the midst of all the social unrest, violence and hatred. THIS is a timely chapter for us too, for in His Word, we find our hope:
“And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12 and Revelation 21:3).
Today's Audio Message: "The Davidic Kingdom"
Jeremiah prophecies of the future Davidic kingdom. Though the Lord is delivering Judah into the hands of the Chaldeans in judgment, they are not cast off forever. Jeremiah prophecies of a future day coming when God will restore the people to the land of Israel. He confirms and reaffirms the covenant that He made with David, and the promises that lead us to the Lord, Jesus Christ, the gospel of salvation and the future hope of all who have put their trust in Him. The Lord Himself will execute judgment and righteousness in the land. Jehovah-tsidkenu - The Lord our righteousness! Our righteousness is in Jesus Christ alone who sits at the right hand of the Father, and who will sit on the throne of this universe forever.
There are 2 people groups according to scripture, The Jews, and then everyone else (the Gentiles). In Romans 11:11–24 Paul compares Israel to the natural branches of a cultivated olive tree and the Gentile believers to the branches of a wild olive tree. The natural branches (Israel) were broken off, and the wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in (verse 17). The Gentiles, then, have been made partakers of the promises and inherit the blessings of God’s salvation.
While the “natural branches” were cut off because Israel failed, God’s purposes are not complete until Israel is also fully restored and sharing in the promises to Abraham and his seed. This brings full circle God’s larger redemptive plan for both Jews and Gentiles as distinct populations within the people of God in the Davidic (or Millennial) Kingdom.
