God had no use for King Jehoiachin. The Lord said that, even if Jehoiachin was useful to him, he would still rid himself of him. He would deliver Jehoiachin into the hands of his enemies. Even his mother would be judged just as harshly. They would both be taken to a country not their own, and there they would die.

Then Jeremiah turned to the priests and other spiritual leaders of the nation. They were supposed to be shepherds of God's flock. They should have been helping those under their care to grow in faith in God. They should have been pointing the way to God. Instead, what they were doing was destroying and scattering the sheep of the Lord's pasture. Because they didn't bestow care on God's flock, the Lord would bestow punishment on them. They would be supplanted as shepherds for the Lord by others the Lord would raise up as he brought his people back from exile.

And in that day, the Lord would raise up from the line of David a righteous Branch. He would be a wise and just king. This king is Jesus. He is our Lord and our Righteous Savior.


Application: Father, thank you for Jesus, who you raised up as the Righteous Branch to save your people. Help us as a nation to turn to him and be saved.
One Word: God has raised up a Righteous Branch