“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’"

Jeremiah 33:2-3

This last chapter (33) of Jeremiah’s ‘Book of Consolation’ contains seven promises of restoration. Verses 1–5 set the context during the destruction of Jerusalem and verses 6–26 announce the restoration. The first promise contains several ‘I will’ statements as the Lord promises to bring health and healing, peace and security, and cleansing and forgiveness.

There will be the sounds of joy and gladness and wedding songs. Songs of praise will be once again heard in the temple. Ruined cities will again be inhabited and there will be pastures for the shepherds and their flocks. There will be a new king, ‘a righteous Branch’ (v 15) sprouting from the line of David. David’s enduring dynasty is reaffirmed and finally, in the last two promises, God affirms that the order of creation, with day following night, indicates that there will always be a king seated on David’s throne and Levitical priests ministering before God. God’s people will be as countless as stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the beach. ‘For I will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them’ (v 26).

We might question whether the promises about a king and priests have been fulfilled, but when we look back with New Testament hindsight, we learn that Jesus is ‘great David’s greater son.’ Jesus the King from the line of David is seated forever at God’s right hand. He brings to completion all that the descendants of Levi anticipated.

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God planned that Israel would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This plan now includes kings and priests drawn from every nation. A true ‘super-fulfillment.’ Lord, please help us as we pray that we may live a life of fulfilling this blessed plan of God, with healing, restoration and glorious purpose of God.

(Edited from Encounter with God)