The Righteous Branch
"The LORD Our Righteousness"
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God warned the leaders of his people, called shepherds, who had scattered his flock. God promised to gather the sheep himself and give them good shepherds. He promised to raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who would rule with justice, called "The LORD Our Righteousness."
Where it is in the Bible: Jeremiah 23:1-6 and 33:14-16
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Woe to the Shepherds | 23:1-2 | God judges leaders who scattered his people |
| 2. I Myself Will Gather | 23:3-4 | God will bring his sheep home |
| 3. A Righteous Branch | 23:5-6 | God will raise up a good King from David's family |
| 4. The Promise Again | 33:14-16 | God repeats the promise |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Jeremiah was a prophet in Jerusalem, about 627 to 586 BC.
What was happening. The last kings of Judah were weak and selfish. They didn't care for the people. Babylon was about to destroy the nation.
What "shepherds" means. In the Bible, kings and leaders are often called shepherds. Their job was to care for God's people like a shepherd cares for sheep.
What this passage is. Two short promises. First, God judges the bad shepherds and promises a good King (23:1-6). Years later, God repeats the promise (33:14-16).
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Woe to the Shepherds
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" declares the LORD (23:1).
Woe is a word of warning and grief.
The leaders had scattered God's people and hadn't taken care of them. God would hold them responsible.
Section 2 of 4I Myself Will Gather
"Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them" (23:3).
A remnant is what is left over, the survivors.
God himself would bring them back. He would give them good shepherds.
"They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing" (23:4). Dismayed means losing heart.
Section 3 of 4A Righteous Branch
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land" (23:5).
A branch grows from a tree. This King would grow from David's family tree.
He will have a special name: "The LORD Our Righteousness" (23:6).
Righteousness means being right with God. This King won't just be righteous himself. He will be our righteousness.
Section 4 of 4The Promise Again
Years later, Jerusalem was under attack. Jeremiah was in prison. God spoke the promise again.
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the gracious promise that I have spoken" (33:14).
"I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch" (33:15).
In those days, God's people will be saved and live safely.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Woe to the shepherds" (23:1) | God holds leaders responsible for how they treat people. |
| "I Myself will gather" (23:3) | God himself will rescue his people. |
| "Nor will any go missing" (23:4) | God cares about every single one. |
| "A righteous Branch" (23:5) | A good King will come from David's family. |
| "The LORD Our Righteousness" (23:6) | This King gives us his righteousness. |
| "I will fulfill the gracious promise" (33:14) | God keeps his word. |
Back Then
Zedekiah was Judah's last king. His name means "The LORD is my righteousness." Jeremiah's promised King has a name that sounds almost the same, but he would truly live up to it.
Jeremiah was in prison when chapter 33 was spoken. The king locked him up for his warnings (32:2-3, 33:1).
"Branch" became a name for the Messiah. Other prophets use it too (Isaiah 11:1, Zechariah 3:8).
Literal Reader Alert
Are all leaders bad? No. God gives good leaders as a gift (23:4). This passage warns leaders who hurt people and neglect them.
What does "our righteousness" mean? Righteousness is being right with God. We can't make ourselves right. Jesus gives us his righteousness as a gift (2 Corinthians 5:21).
When does this happen? Christians believe Jesus, born in David's family, is the righteous Branch. His kingdom has begun and will be complete when he returns.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| God's people | Scattered | Bad leaders drove them away (23:2) |
| God's people | Afraid | They had no one to care for them (23:4) |
| God's people | Safe | The righteous King would protect them (23:6) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does this promise mean for you? Tap one.
Bad leaders
God sees when leaders hurt people. He holds them responsible.
I feel scattered
God himself gathers his people.
I'm not right with God
The King's name is "The LORD Our Righteousness." He gives it to you.
Waiting
God keeps his gracious promises, even when it takes a long time.
You Might Have Heard
"You have to become a good enough person for God."
What's true: God wants us to live good lives.
What the passage is mainly about: The promised King is called "The LORD Our Righteousness." Our rightness with God comes from him, not from us. He is the good shepherd who gathers his sheep.
Where Jesus is: Jesus is the righteous Branch from David's family, the Good Shepherd, and the King who gives us his righteousness.
Good News
The shepherds failed. God promised to come himself.
"And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness" (23:6).
Jesus is that King. He gathers his scattered sheep, and he gives us his own righteousness as a gift.
God promised a righteous Branch from David's family, the King called "The LORD Our Righteousness." Jesus is that King.
Big Idea
God judges bad shepherds and gathers his scattered sheep. He promised a righteous Branch from David's family, called "The LORD Our Righteousness."
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved the name "The LORD Our Righteousness." He taught that our righteousness is "alien," meaning it comes from outside us, from Christ, and is given to us by faith.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Jeremiah 23:1-6 on Christ the King Sunday in Year C, and in July of Year B (Lectionary 16). It reads Jeremiah 33:14-16 on the First Sunday of Advent in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
How did that feel?
You finished The Righteous Branch.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 16 Year BFirst reading, Jeremiah 23:1–6
- First Sunday of Advent Year CFirst reading, Jeremiah 33:14–16
- Christ the King Year CFirst reading, Jeremiah 23:1–6
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Righteous Branch, explained in plain words. God judges bad shepherds and promises a good King from David's family. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-righteous-branch/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church