Jeremiah — Chapter 23
Synopsis: Against the evil shepherds who have scattered the flock; the great Messianic promise of the Righteous Branch (Germen Justum / Rameau Juste) = Christ; rebuke of false prophets who dream dreams and say 'the burden of the Lord.'
Verse 5
Behold the days come, saith the Lord, and I will raise up to David a just branch: and a king shall reign, and shall be wise, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 'Germen Justum' = Christ, the just Branch sprung from David's root. Parallel to Is.11:1 (the Virga and Flos). Lapide: this is one of the clearest Old Testament prophecies of the Messianic King; His name Emmanuel = 'Dominus Justus Noster' (v.6 = 'The Lord our Just One').
Verse 6
And this is the name that they shall call him: The Lord our just one. 'Yahweh Tsidqenu' = 'The Lord our Righteousness/Justice.' Applied to Christ, who is our justice by imputation (Luther incorrectly) or more truly by infused grace (Lapide citing Trent). Luther's exegesis disputed.
Verse 24
Shall a man be hid in secret places, and I shall not see him, saith the Lord? do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord? God's omnipresence and omniscience — He fills all heaven and earth. Lapide's treatment of divine immensity: God is in every place by His essence, presence, and power; not contained in any place, yet truly present in every place.
Verse 29
Are not my words as a fire, saith the Lord: and as a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? God's word as fire (burning, illuminating, purifying) and as a hammer (shattering the hardest heart). Lapide: these two images capture the double effect of Scripture — warming and destroying. 'Is not my word like fire?' is the great defense against those who say the word of preaching is too harsh.