Jer 23:5-6 | JFB | STEP | 5. As Messianic prophecy extended over many years in which many political changes took place in harmony with these, it displayed its riches by a variety more effective than if it had been manifested all at once. As the moral condition of the Jews required in each instance, so Messiah was exhibited in a corresponding phase, thus becoming more and more the soul of the nation's life: so that He is represented as the antitypical Israel ( ). unto David-- Hengstenberg observes that Isaiah dwells more on His prophetical and priestly office, which had already been partly set forth ( ; ). Other prophets dwell more on His kingly office. Therefore here He is associated with "David" the king: but in with the then poor and unknown "Jesse." righteous Branch-- "the Branch of righteousness" ( ); "The Branch" simply ( ; ); "The Branch of the Lord" ( ). prosper-- the very term applied to Messiah's undertaking ( , Margin; ). Righteousness or justice is the characteristic of Messiah elsewhere, too, in connection with our salvation or justification ( ; ; ). So in the New Testament He is not merely "righteous" Himself, but "righteousness to us" ( ), so that we become "the righteousness of God in Him" ( , ; ; ). execute judgment and justice in the earth-- ( ; ; , ). Not merely a spiritual reign in the sense in which He is "our righteousness," but a righteous reign "in the earth" ( , ). In some passages He is said to come to judge, in others to reign. In , He is called "the King." unites them. Compare , 26, 27.

‏ Jeremiah 23:5-6

5. As Messianic prophecy extended over many years in which many political changes took place in harmony with these, it displayed its riches by a variety more effective than if it had been manifested all at once. As the moral condition of the Jews required in each instance, so Messiah was exhibited in a corresponding phase, thus becoming more and more the soul of the nation's life: so that He is represented as the antitypical Israel (Is 49:3).

unto David--Hengstenberg observes that Isaiah dwells more on His prophetical and priestly office, which had already been partly set forth (De 18:18; Psa 110:4). Other prophets dwell more on His kingly office. Therefore here He is associated with "David" the king: but in Is 11:1 with the then poor and unknown "Jesse."

righteous Branch--"the Branch of righteousness" (Jr 33:15); "The Branch" simply (Zec 3:8; 6:12); "The Branch of the Lord" (Is 4:2).

prosper--the very term applied to Messiah's undertaking (Is 52:13, Margin; Is 53:10). Righteousness or justice is the characteristic of Messiah elsewhere, too, in connection with our salvation or justification (Is 53:11; Da 9:24; Zec 9:9). So in the New Testament He is not merely "righteous" Himself, but "righteousness to us" (1Co 1:30), so that we become "the righteousness of God in Him" (Ro 10:3, 4; 2Co 5:19-21; Php 3:9).

execute judgment and justice in the earth--(Psa 72:2; Is 9:7; 32:1, 18). Not merely a spiritual reign in the sense in which He is "our righteousness," but a righteous reign "in the earth" (Jr 3:17, 18). In some passages He is said to come to judge, in others to reign. In Mt 25:34, He is called "the King." Psa 9:7 unites them. Compare Da 7:22, 26, 27.

6. Judah ... Israel ... dwell safely--Compare Jr 33:16, where "Jerusalem" is substituted for "Israel" here. Only Judah, and that only in part, has as yet returned. So far are the Jews from having enjoyed, as yet, the temporal blessings here foretold as the result of Messiah's reign, that their lot has been, for eighteen centuries, worse than ever before. The accomplishment must, therefore, be still future, when both Judah and Israel in their own land shall dwell safely under a Christocracy, far more privileged than even the old theocracy (Jr 32:37; De 33:28; Is 54:1-17; 60:1-22; 65:17-25; Zec 14:11).

shall be called, the Lord--that is, shall be (Is 9:6) "Jehovah," God's incommunicable name. Though when applied to created things, it expresses only some peculiar connection they have with Jehovah (Ge 22:14; Ex 17:15), yet when applied to Messiah it must express His Godhead manifested in justifying power towards us (1Ti 3:16).

our--marks His manhood, which is also implied in His being a Branch raised unto David, whence His human title, "Son of David" (compare Mt 22:42-45).

Righteousness--marks His Godhead, for God alone can justify the ungodly (compare Ro 4:5; Is 45:17, 24, 25).