Jeremiah 23 identifies the coming King as the righteous Branch raised to David who will reign and prosper, executing judgment and justice in the earth.
The text promises that God will raise to David a righteous Branch—a capitalized title Les identifies as Christ. That King will reign and prosper on the earth, fulfilling the Davidic promise of a literal kingdom. In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell safely.
Jeremiah 23:5 — This verse directly names the coming King as the righteous Branch raised unto David, who will reign and prosper in the earth.
Jeremiah 23:6 — It describes the salvation of Judah and the safe dwelling of Israel during the King's days, completing the promise.
Jeremiah chapter 23 directly answers the question in verses 5 and 6. Verse 5 says, '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.' Verse 6 continues, '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.' These verses are a clear promise of a coming royal figure. The passage calls Him a righteous Branch and a King, and it specifically says He will reign and prosper and execute judgment and justice in the earth. The promise also links His coming with the salvation of Judah and the safe dwelling of Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that Jeremiah 23:5 is a direct prophecy of Christ. He points out that the word Branch is capitalized in the text, making it a prophetic title for the Messiah, and that the following word King is also capitalized. He also notes that the word LORD in all capital letters is Jehovah. For Les, this verse promises a King who will not reign in heaven but in the earth, executing judgment and justice. Les connects this passage to the Davidic covenant. God promised David a royal house, and through that line came the King of kings, Christ. Les states that this King came, was rejected, but is coming again. When He returns, the kingdom promised to David will become a viable reality, and Israel will be one nation under their Messiah. As Les puts it, the almighty, eternal, infinite God will bring it all about.
Les Feldick teaches that the capitalized Branch in Jeremiah 23:5 is Christ. The word Branch is used several times in the Old Testament as a prophetic naming of the Messiah, and here it is paired with the title King. Les also notes that the King is capitalized, showing that this is a name concerning deity. This Branch comes from David, so He is the Messiah-King promised to Israel.
Jeremiah 23:5 says the King shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Les emphasizes that this rule is not in heaven—it is an earthly reign. He also connects the prophecy to Isaiah 9:7, where the rule is upon the throne of David and His kingdom is established with judgment and justice forever. The coming King will therefore rule and reign on the earth from David's throne.
Les teaches that God promised David in 2 Samuel 7 that from his loins would come a royal house, and through that line of kings would one day come the King of kings—Christ. This is why Jeremiah 23:5 says raise unto David. The kingdom promised to David, interrupted in history, will become a viable reality when God the Son, the Messiah, becomes King. It will be a glorious, literal kingdom over a unified Israel.
Les points out that the King came and was rejected, but He is coming again. The promise of Jeremiah 23 remains unfulfilled until that return. At that time, Israel will no longer be a split nation but one nation under their Messiah. This is part of the Old Testament program for Israel and their coming King and kingdom.
Why the Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem: Israel vs. The Church
New Testament, it's Jew only with exceptions. I've put that on the board more than once. Jew only with exceptions. Now, here it is. Isaiah 59, verse 20. The Redeemer shall come to Zion. Now, remember, Zion is a mountain in Jerusalem. And unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. Now, verse 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord.
The Righteous Branch Is Christ
Les points to Jeremiah 23:5 and explains that the capitalized word Branch is a prophetic title for the Messiah, who is also called King. This directly answers the question of who the coming King is.
The Coming King Will Judge in the Earth
Les clarifies that LORD in capitals is Jehovah and that Branch and King are capitalized titles of deity. He then emphasizes that this King will execute judgment and justice in the earth, not in heaven.
The King Was Rejected But Is Coming Again
Les connects the promised royal rule to the throne of David and says the almighty God will bring it about. He explicitly states that this King came, was rejected, and is coming again.
The Branch in Isaiah 11
Though not Jeremiah 23, Les uses Isaiah 11 to show the Branch (Christ) will one day rule and reign over the Kingdom on earth, reinforcing the Jeremiah promise.
The Davidic Royal Promise
Les explains 2 Samuel 7, where David is promised a royal house that will ultimately produce the King of kings—Christ—tying the Jeremiah 23 promise back to the Davidic covenant.
One Nation Under Messiah
Les sets Jeremiah 23 in the context of Israel's land promises, saying the nation will no longer be divided but will be one nation under their Messiah King.
Kingdom Becomes a Viable Reality
Les teaches that the kingdom promised to David will eventually become a glorious, viable reality with God the Son as King.
Jeremiah 23:5: 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.
This is the main prophetic verse about the coming King, the righteous Branch from David.
Jeremiah 23:6: 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.
It reveals the effect of this King's reign: Judah saved and Israel dwelling safely, and His name.
Isaiah 9:7: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Les connects this Messianic prophecy to the Davidic throne and the eternal kingdom, supporting the Jeremiah promise.
2 Samuel 7:14: I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
This is the Davidic covenant promise that Les uses to show the royal line through which the King of kings would come.
Les Feldick teaches that the capitalized word Branch in Jeremiah 23:5 is a prophetic title for Christ. The same verse calls Him a King, so He is the coming King raised unto David who will reign and prosper.
Jeremiah 23:5 says He shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Les emphasizes this means His kingdom will be an earthly, literal reign, not just a spiritual rule in heaven.
Jeremiah 23:6 says this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. The passage presents the King with a divine name, showing the coming ruler is no ordinary earthly king.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem: Israel vs. The Church