Jeremiah 23:1-6; 33:14-16, YAHWEH-Tsidkenu

Today is the last of five “hyphenated” names for God.  The first three were names given to altars where God was worshiped.  Like the last one, this name is related to a prophesy concerning the Messianic reign.  YAHWEH-Shammah (The LORD is There) is a name given to Jerusalem.  YAHWEH-Tsidkenu, The-Lord-Our-Righteousness, is the name given to God. 

As with all of these names, we again see a direct connection with the Lord Jesus with this name.  Jesus is YAHWEH-Tsidkenu.  This is a common New Covenant truth for Christians, that “in Christ” we have the righteousness of God.  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).  But we should remember that the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ was testified to by the Law and the Prophets (Rom. 3:21-22). 

·       Isaiah 45:22-25: This passage has Jesus in mind.  Paul applies the last part of v23 to Jesus in Philippians 2:10: That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.  This is the One to whom the ends of the earth must look to be saved (45:22; cf. John 3:14-16; remember YAHWEH-Nissi in our post just a few days ago).  We also see that, In the LORD all the descendants of Israel shall be justified (45:25).  To be justified is to be declared righteous; this is found in the Lord, The-LORD-Our-Righteousness.

·       Isaiah 53:11: In the song of the Suffering Servant, our Lord Jesus, we hear the same truth.  By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.  We cannot be justified, declared righteous, apart from the One who bears our sins in His body on the tree.

·       Jeremiah 23:5-6: There is no doubt that v5 describes the Messianic reign.  Jesus is the Branch, the King who shall reign and prosper.  In “His” days, when the Branch of David is raised up, Judah will be saved, and the Branch will be called The-LORD-Our-Righteousness.

·       Jeremiah 33:14-16: The prophecy is repeated here, although note the great line in v14: I will perform that good thing which I have promised.  It truly is a “good thing” for God to raise up the Branch of righteousness, the One through whom Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety.  But now, it is Jerusalem that will be called The-LORD-Our-Righteousness.  Is this a contradiction?  No, of course not.  Those who become righteous through the Branch bear the same name and glory as the One who is the Branch, even as “Christians” bear the name of “Christ.”  Given the oneness of believers in the New Covenant, this all makes sense.  It is a truly, good thing that God has promised.  YAHWEH-Tsidkenu, The-LORD-Our-Righteousness.