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Today's Devotional

In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness” —Jeremiah 23:6 (ESV).

This prophecy of Jeremiah is a very striking one; it is contained in four verses of the twenty-third chapter. From David is to rise a righteous branch, and a King shall reign and prosper; Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is the name whereby he shall be called, “The Lord our Righteousness.” Then follow two verses containing promises to the house of Israel, of restoration to their own land. These verses, attentively considered, have not as yet been fulfilled; for when Jesus came first it was as a suffering Messiah to save his people from their sins. He did not reign, Judah and Israel were under the Roman dominion, for the scepter had departed when Shiloh came. Therefore we must consider this passage as prophetic of future glory to the children of Israel, now scattered throughout all nations. And may we not believe its fulfillment to be near? for surely at present it may be said— “You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity” (Psalm 102:13, 14 NIV).

What interesting discoveries at Jerusalem are now being made by the Palestine Exploration Fund. Stones of colossal dimensions have been discovered underground.

Jesus, when on earth, foretold to his disciples when they were admiring the beautiful temple, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down” (Mark 13:2 NASB).

All was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus; and in the Word of Truth we read of Israel’s future glory and restoration.

But Jesus, the Lord our Righteousness, must be the righteousness of every individual believer, whether converted Jew or Gentile. The original word means a title of Christ— the Justifier, he who being just and holy himself, makes others just, or gives them holiness also.

Dear reader! Jesus says, “I counsel you to buy from Me ... white garments so that you may be clothed” (Revelation 3:18 Berean Literal) Is Christ’s righteousness yours?

About the author and the source

A search did not reveal the identity of the author, Zeta, who flourished in the late nineteenth century. Today’s quote is from a one-month sequence of devotionals focused on attributes of Christ, mostly as anticipated in Old Testament figures and prophecies.