Jeremiah 33

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Excellence of Restored Israel

In the future there will be both cleansing and restoration for the nation of Israel.
In the future there will be both a king and priests for the nation of Israel.

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah here in chapter 33 in the year 587 BC when Jerusalem was under siege by the Chaldeans (Babylonians). What actions did the people of Jerusalem take in order to strengthen the walls of the city against the siege? Were these actions successful in turning back the siege?
Beginning in verse 6 of this chapter, God tells Jeremiah that there will be health and healing for the restored Israel, and cleansing from ____ and _____________. In that future day when Israel is restored, they will be a testimony to whom?
When Israel is restored in the future, what will be the name given to Jerusalem?
The predictions in verses 14-18 were clearly not fulfilled when the Jewish people returned from captivity under the leadership of Zerubbabel. The “righteous branch of David” is obviously a ____________ prophecy referring to the second coming of Christ. List four of the predictions in these verses that are associated with His second coming.
Following the second coming of Christ, literal offerings will be made (v 18) as a ___________ of His once-for-all sacrifice for sin.

The people of Jerusalem tore down their houses, frantically trying to strengthen the walls of the city. This attempt to reinforce the walls is confirmed by archeology. Their efforts, however, were not successful, as verse 5 tells us that the walls would be breached and many of the people would be killed by the sword.
When Israel is restored, there will be cleansing from all sin and iniquity (v 8). In that day, the nation of Israel will be a testimony to “all nations of the earth.”
When Israel is restored, the name given to the city of Jerusalem will be “The Lord Our Righteousness.”
The “righteous branch of David” is a Messianic prophecy referring to the second coming of Christ. Associated with His coming, we are told here that: a. He would execute justice and righteousness in the earth (not just in heaven). b. Judah and Jerusalem would dwell in safety. c. The Davidic dynasty would be reestablished with a descendant of David ruling over Israel from His throne. d. The Levitical priesthood would be reestablished, including offerings and sacrifices.
Following the second coming of Christ, literal offerings will be made as a memorial of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice for sins, taking place in the literal Temple in Jerusalem.

Because the Lord Jesus was rejected by Israel as their king at His first coming, we believe that all of these prophecies (vs 14-26), will be fulfilled literally at His second coming, when He returns to establish His earthly kingdom and reigns from His literal throne in Jerusalem. Discuss how Jeremiah, and the Jewish people, would have understood these prophecies as being literal, and how difficult it would be to understand them as being spiritualized to the Church of our day. Notice the certainty of God’s prophecies (vs 19-26), and the assurance of the restoration of the nation Israel, in spite of their failures!

In verse 3 of Jeremiah 33, God promised to answer His people when and if they would call upon Him. He also promised to show them great and mighty things. Have you applied these promises to your life? Do you pray with confidence that God will not only answer you, but that He will also show you great and mighty things – perhaps how you can more effectively serve Him?

“Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:2-3