Jeremiah:23

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 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 . * Verse 9-22 - The false prophets of Samaria had deluded the Israelites into idolatries ; yet the Lord considered the false prophets of Jerusalem as guilty of more horrible wickedness , by which the people were made bold in sin . These false teachers would be compelled to suffer the most bitter part of the Lord 's indignation . They made themselves believe that there was no harm in sin , and practised accordingly ; then they made others believe so . Those who are resolved to go on in evil ways , will justly be given up to believe strong delusions . But which of them had received any revelation of God , or understood any thing of his word ? There was a time coming when they would reflect on their folly and unbelief with remorse . The teaching and example of the true prophets led men to repentance , faith , and righteousness . The false prophets led men to rest in forms and notions , and to be quiet in their sins . Let us take heed that we do not follow unrighteousness . * Verse 23-32 - Men cannot be hidden from God 's all-seeing eye . Will they never see what judgments they prepare for themselves ? Let them consider what a vast difference there is between these prophecies and those delivered by the true prophets of the Lord . Let them not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles . The promises of peace these prophets make are no more to be compared to God 's promises than chaff to wheat . The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock ; if not melted by the word of God as a fire , it will be broken to pieces by it as a hammer . How can they be long safe , or at all easy , who have a God of almighty power against them ? The word of God is no smooth , lulling , deceitful message . And by its faithfulness it may certainly be distinguished from false doctrines . * Verse 33-40 - Those are miserable indeed who are forsaken and forgotten of God ; and men 's jesting at God 's judgments will not baffle them . God had taken Israel to be a people near to him , but they shall now be cast out of his presence . It is a mark of great and daring impiety for men to jest with the words of God . Every idle and profane word will add to the sinner 's burden in the day of judgment , when everlasting shame will be his portion . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---