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Prophecy

           In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.  In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 33:15-16)

It is always dangerous to talk about prophecies. Interpretation is fraught with error. This morning, however, the verse of the day was one from later in this chapter – and it has been discussed here too recently to allow a return. This passage caught my eye.

The first issue that must be addressed is the fact that prophecies can be fulfilled, partly fulfilled, or repeatedly fulfilled. The partly fulfilled is one of the problems that the Jews have with Jesus. Because all was not fulfilled, Jesus must not be – at least at that time – the Messiah. They will accept that He is the Messiah when He fulfills prophecy completely, and (in some cases) according to their personal expectations. This isn’t picking on the Jews, really, because we’re all the same way. “It ain’t over ‘til I say it’s over.”

Many people would say that the prophecy in today’s passage hasn’t been fulfilled because Judah and Jerusalem weren’t living in safety during Jesus’ time. Rome ruled Israel, and within 40 years of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the temple was destroyed. So while it might be that Jesus was the righteous Branch that sprouted from David’s line, and that He did right, clearly, this prophecy must refer to a future time, when Jesus will return and reign.

And, I have no doubt that it does refer, ultimately, to that return for which we all wait. But …

You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (John 11:50)

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” (Luke 23:1-2)

Perhaps I’m wrong, but it sounds to me that while the Jews didn’t like the Romans, the leadership of the nation considered the nation was living in safety. It was safe because Rome ruled with an iron fist, but it was relatively safe. This leads me to the conclusion that this prophecy has a double fulfillment, one partial and fulfilled, and the other complete but for which we must still wait.

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