Book: Jeremiah
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Jeremiah 23:6          The Lord Our Righteousness

I. The promise of the righteous Branch of David.
        A. The Lord has rejected this unholy branch of David,
           because of the sins of Jechoniah.
                1. In the previous chapter the seed of Jechoniah was
                   rejected from ever sitting on the throne of David.
                2. The Kings of Judah had become so corrupt that God
                   has cut off the royal line of kings that had come
                   from David through Solomon.
        B. In the first few verses of this chapter God lists his
           indictments against the kings who were called shepherds.
                1. It was the desire of God that the kings of Israel
                   would have shepherds hearts.
                2. He wanted to watch over the people as a shepherd
                   watched over the flock. With the flock being his
                   primary concern.
                3. David who was a shepherd before being called to be
                   King was called a man after God's own heart, in that
                   he never forgot his roots, and ruled the people with
                   the heart of a shepherd.
                4. In the 23re Psalm David expresses just what a
                   shepherds responsibilities are.
                        a. He is to see that the sheep are well fed.
                        b. He is to see that they are kept from danger.
                        c. He is to lead the flock by example.
                        d. He is to bind up their wounds.
                5. The kings had destroyed and scattered the sheep.
                6. In the New Testament, the ministers were also called
                   shepherds, for the word for shepherd and pastor is
                   the same.
                        a. Paul told Timothy to be an example unto the
                           believer.
                        b. Jesus said to Peter, "Tend My sheep." Then to
                           "Feed My sheep.
                        c. Jesus had announced Himself as the good
                           shepherd who would lay down His life for the
                           sheep.
                7. The shepherd was held responsible for the condition
                   of the sheep.
                        a. These kings were ruling for the benefit of
                           their own welfare.
                        b. They were fleecing the flock of God.
        C. This Righteous Branch of David will be raised up to
           execute judgment and justice in the earth.
                1. His reign will not be limited to Israel only. But
                   He shall reign over the whole earth.
                2. There are 5 prophesies in the Old Testament
                   concerning the coming Branch.
                        a. Isaiah tells us that He will be a stem out of
                           the root of Jesse.
                        b. In this passage he is just promised as the
                           righteous branch of Jesse.
                        c. Jeremiah 33:16 a prophecy similar to this.
                        d. Zechariah speaks of the coming Branch that
                           will build the house of God.
                                (1) He also prophesies of the Man whose
                                    name is the Branch.
        D. The characteristics of this righteous Branch.
                1. He is a King who reigns and prospers.
                2. He will execute judgment and justice in the earth.
                3. In His days, Judah will be saved, and Israel shall
                   dwell safely.

II. The name of the righteous Branch. Yahweh Tsidkenu, the Lord
    is our righteousness.
        A. As we have mentioned in the past, God is not a name, it
           is a title. There are multitudes of gods, and each has a
           name. Satan is the god of many people. The Bible refers
           to him as the god of this world. Many worship him as god.
                1.What is the name of our God?
                        a. When Moses was commanded at the burning bush to
                           go to Pharaoh and tell Him that God demanded
                           the release of His people, Moses said when he
                           asks me your name, who shall I say has sent
                           me? God told him to answer, "I Am, that I Am
                           has sent you." Yahweh, I Am, or the becoming
                           One.
                        b. It is a name by which God has declared to you
                           that He becomes to you, whatever you might
                           need. He is the all sufficient One, He is
                           sufficient for whatever you might need.
                        c. Has been called Yahweh Yireh. Our provider.
                        d. Yahweh Rapha, our banner.
                        e. Yahweh Shalom, our peace.
                        f. To those in captivity in Babylon, Yahweh
                           Shammah, the Lord is there.
                        g. To us His name is Jesus, Yahweh Shua, our
                           salvation.
                        h. To us He is also Yahweh Tsidkenu, for He is
                           our righteousness.
        B. I depend upon my faith in Jesus Christ for my righteous
           standing before God. My hope is built on nothing less
           than Jesus blood and His righteousness, I dare not trust
           the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.
                1. Paul speak of the righteousness that he had sought
                   to attain through the works of the law, and how that
                   he gladly exchanged that for the true righteousness
                   that he had discovered through Jesus Christ.
                2. We have the choice of trying to stand before God
                   clothed in our own righteousness, or we can stand
                   before Him in the righteousness of Jesus Christ that
                   is imputed to us through our faith in Jesus Christ.