July 19, 2026 - Jeremiah 33-35

From chapter 33 of Jeremiah, I remember my Grandma Anderson having a plaque hanging in her living room with verse 33 inscribed on it:  “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (33:3).  The God of Israel not only knows the future but directs it, and he will bring the armies of Babylon into Jerusalem and destroy and burn it because of its great evil.  The city would become desolate but not without end for the Lord declares, “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.  I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first.  I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me” (33:6-8).  When the people see what great things God has done, they will sing with the psalmist:  “Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (11; from Psalm 107).  Furthermore, “’Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land’” (33:14-15).  The Righteous Branch!  The descendant of David!  The Son of David!  The anointed one!  Messiah!  God has done what he promised!

How bright appears the Morning Star,

with mercy beaming from afar;

the host of heav’n rejoices;

O Righteous Branch, O Jesse’s Rod!

Thou Son of Man and Son of God!

We, too, will lift our voices:

Jesus, Jesus! Holy, holy, yet most lowly,

draw Thou near us;

great Emmanuel, come and hear us.   --Philipp Nicolai (1599)