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Scott's Reference Library
Jeremiah 23:1 through Jeremiah 23:6 (NIV)
1“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my
pasture!” declares the LORD. 2Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of
Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my
flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow
punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. 3“I myself
will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven
them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and
increase in number. 4I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and
they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares
the LORD.
5 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD,
“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteousness.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-8
Woe be to those who are set to feed God’s people, but take no concern to do them
good! Here is a word of comfort to the neglected sheep. Though only a remnant of
God’s flock is left, he will find them out, and they shall be brought to their
former habitations. Christ is spoken of as a branch from David’s family. He is
righteous himself, and through him all his people are made righteous. Christ
shall break the usurped power of Satan. All the spiritual seed of believing
Abraham and praying Jacob shall be protected, and shall be saved from the guilt
and dominion of sin. In the days of Christ’s government in the soul, the soul
dwells at ease. He is here spoken of as “the Lord our Righteousness.” He is so
our Righteousness as no creature could be. His obedience unto death is the
justifying righteousness of believers, and their title to heavenly happiness.
And their sanctification, as the source of all their personal obedience is the
effect of their union with him, and of the supply of this Spirit. By this name
every true believer shall call him, and call upon him. We have nothing to plead
but this, Christ has died, yea, rather is risen again; and we have taken him for
our Lord. This righteousness which he has wrought out to the satisfaction of law
and justice, becomes ours; being a free gift given to us, through the Spirit of
God, who puts it upon us, clothes us with it, enables us to lay hold upon it,
and claim an interest in it. “The Lord our Righteousness” is a sweet name to a
convinced sinner; to one that has felt the guilt of sin in his conscience; seen
his need of that righteousness, and the worth of it. This great salvation is far
more glorious than all former deliverances of his church. May our souls be
gathered to Him, and be found in him.