“3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. 5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:3-6, a glorious Passage!

I count four Personal Pronouns (“I“) in our Text, referring to the LORD Himself. Things for Israel HE is going to do! “I will gather ….” Because “I have driven ….” Then “I will set up ….” After which He vows “I will raise up …!” The Lord clearly being very active in the Millennium!

These key “I” words are further (and undoubtedly) identified in verse 4, “saith the LORD.”

When He refers to “My flock,” Israel is in mind. The scattered Jews, a diaspora made necessary by the Tribulation, fleeing the anti-Christ.

Then comes some leaders simply called “shepherds.” Godly men who will lead the Jewish people. (Under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, for sure!) “Good” shepherds, as opposed to the “false” shepherds Israel has had in the past, wicked men called “hirelings” at times. (In the Old Testament “shepherd” was a civil term as well as a religious one. These are God appointed “undershepherds” to the Lord Jesus Christ during the Millennium.)

Then HE is described, our dear Lord Jesus.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Jesus is that Branch!

Jesus is that King!

Jesus is that Judge!

And Jesus is that Saviour … “In his days Judah shall be saved.” Verse 6a of our Paragraph today. “Judah” referring to all Israel I suspect.

Bur Preacher Bagwell, how do you know this is Jesus? The very next Line … “This is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Who Else could that be?

Jesus back on earth.

Jesus as King of the Jews.

And peaceful Ruler of all the earth.

Oh, what Scripture!

Enough to rejoice/meditate on all day long!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.