Jeremiah: Prophesies of the King

The pastors and ministers of church congregations are important. They have the task of reminding God's people that He owns the world, controls history, has a covenant with His people, expects their obedience and has saved them from utter damnation. As a result of all this, ministers also remind their congregation that they have an obligation to fear God and keep His commandments. We are also reminded that judgements will befall on those who are not faithful (1 Samuel 12:25), and eternal blessings and joy will be imparted to those who are faithful (John 6:40).

Approximately 3000 years ago this task of reminding and admonishing and teaching fell upon God's prophets. These chosen men constantly called the people back to God. The commanded obedience to God, they warned of coming judgement and they promised eternal hope. That hope came in the form of a Man. God's Son.

Jeremiah 21:11 through to Jeremiah 23:8 is a typical exemplar of how the Old Testament prophets preached. They told of the importance of obedience and righteousness; warned their audience of coming judgement; they reminded them of blessings from God; and they especially looked forward to the coming of Christ and used that promise as a distant hope to look forward to.

Jeremiah was called by God to prophesy to the last five kings of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Jeremiah 21:11-22:9 is a declaration of what a righteous king is to be like. They had to be just in their rulings and they had to also deal correctly with the poor and oppressed (Jeremiah 21:12).

With the coming of the great King we are made kings over God's kingdom. And so we too must act with justice and dedicate time to the poor and oppressed. We must care for the refugees, the widows, the orphans, and the poor. We must not be biased in our judgements, we are not to be favourable to some.

Following chapter 22 verse 9 we see how God pronounces judgement on each of the last kings of Judah as they fail to act righteously. In 22:12 Jeremiah prophesies Jehoahaz' death in exile, and in verses 13-17 gives the reasons for it. Verse 19 prophesies that Jehoiakim will be killed and cast outside Jerusalem. Again, reason is given for this judgement (verse 21). Jehoiachin is also cursed, as Jeremiah declares that his children shall not become king and rule in Judah (22:30).

The unrighteous kings are exposed. They are cursed and they die. But there is a promise of hope. There shall arise a King that is perfectly righteous. A King who lives forever. A King who died for His subjects, but still lives. That King we celebrate at Christmas.

Jeremiah 23:5-6:

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
      THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah prophesied that His name will be “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” This means that God alone can save His sinful people, and will do so by His Son, the perfectly righteous King.

Jeremiah's primary audience, the Jews, rejected this prophesy and even now reject Him. Romans 10:2-4:

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

However Jeremiah's words have not fallen by the wayside. Praise God that many people have looked to the King of kings for their righteousness. Praise God that this King could come as man into this world. Praise God that the King has come, that He died for our sins, that He has risen, and now sits at God's right hand pouring out His Spirit upon the world.

Come Lord Jesus!