Project 119: Hope in the Upheaval | Jeremiah 23
| Project 119 | Mary Splawn
“Righteous Branch”
I love hearing the backstories of people’s nicknames. Some of the most interesting names I’ve heard are Bug, Green Un, Hollywood, and Nightcrawler. As you can imagine, each nickname has a very interesting origin.
“Righteous Branch” is a title found here in Jeremiah 23:5 and also in the Old Testament prophetic books for the Messiah. Or, in other more colloquial terms, it is a nickname for the Savior.
The question is, “Why the nickname ‘Righteous Branch?’” Jeremiah tells us why he is “righteous.” Look at verse 5 again. He is “a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land” (Jeremiah 23:5 NIV). This is in stark contrast to the self-serving leaders and priests of Israel during Jeremiah’s lifetime.
The term “branch” can be more clearly understood in light of Isaiah 11:1, which reads, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (ESV). The somewhat cryptic reference to the stump of Jesse is an image for the line of kings from the dynasty of David that is being cut down because of disobedience. But, from this stump, from this line of David’s father Jesse, a King will come who will do what branches should do: bear fruit!
This rich combination of terms, “righteous” and “branch,” finds its fulfillment in Jesus the Messiah who is born from the line of David. His long-awaited kingdom is marked by wisdom, faithfulness, and righteous judgment.
This Christmas, let us renew our vow to welcome him as King of our hearts, rejoicing in the great gift of righteousness he bestows on those who believe in him!