First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

The Righteous King

14 Behold, the days come, says YHWH, that I will perform that good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. 15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is the name by which she shall be called: YHWH our righteousness.

World English Bible

Jeremiah, a prophet of priestly dissent, lived through the reign of three Judean kings: Josiah (627-609 BC), Jehoiakim (608-598 B.C.), Zedekiah (597-587 B.C.) As he matured, Jeremiah railed against the political intrigue in Jerusalem and royal alliances with Egypt against the Babylon. He was politically influential enough to escape a royal death sentence for his public critiques. Hence, he was imprisoned.

In jail, Jeremiah wrote these verses of hope. Yes, the kingdom would fall. Jerusalem would be left desolate. But these events would not stop God's plan to restore the nation and the royal line. In fact, the righteous king would be the source of national revival.

True to his vision, Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile in 586 B.C. But, Jeremiah would not live to see God's people return to their homeland. Nonetheless, his words gave the people hope. God would restore the royal line, the king would rule justly, and the nation would be renewed. This, however, would happen in God's time and in God's way.

How do you find hope in this season of hurry?