I. The promise of the righteous Branch of David.
A. The Lord has rejected this unholy branch of David, because of the sins of jeconiah.
1. In the previous chapter the seed of Jeconiah 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 23rd 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.
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 spoke 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.
Verse-Reference
Square — [Jhn 1:1 KJV]
Abbreviate Books
Use SBL Abbrev.
