Who Is the 'Righteous Branch' in Jeremiah 23:5?

Direct Answer

The righteous Branch is Jesus Christ, the Messiah-King raised unto David.

In Jeremiah 23:5, God says He will "raise unto David a righteous Branch." Les Feldick points out that the word "Branch" is capitalized, showing it is a title for deity, and he identifies it with the Messiah, Christ. This King will reign and prosper, executing judgment and justice in the earth when He returns to set up His kingdom.

Key Scriptures

Jeremiah 23:5 — This verse directly names the righteous Branch as a King raised unto David who will execute judgment and justice in the earth.

What Does the Bible Say?

Jeremiah 23:5 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." The verse places the Branch in David's line and calls Him a King. The promise is for days that are coming, when a righteous King will bring judgment and justice to the earth. Isaiah 11:1 uses the same kind of language: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots." Here the Branch is connected to Jesse, the father of David, pointing to the same royal Messiah.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Righteous Branch?

Les Feldick teaches that the capitalized "Branch" in Jeremiah 23:5 is a title and a name concerning deity. He notes that the word "Branch" appears capitalized throughout the Old Testament whenever it refers to the Messiah. God says He will raise this Branch "unto David," which Les connects to King David and the promised Son of David. Les also points out that the "King" in the same verse is capitalized. He teaches that this is Christ, and that He will "reign and prosper" and execute judgment and justice in the earth — not in heaven — when He returns and sets up His kingdom after His enemies are made His footstool. Les places this prophecy in the Old Testament promises to Israel: Israel was promised the King and the kingdom, and they would be the vehicle to bring the pagan Gentiles to a knowledge of God. He connects this coming restoration to Ezekiel's dry bones, which represent the whole house of Israel being raised from national death and brought back to their land.

Why Does Les Point Out That 'Branch' and 'King' Are Capitalized?

In Jeremiah 23:5, the word "Branch" is capitalized. Les teaches that capitalization marks it as a title and a name concerning deity. The next word, "King," is also capitalized, which Les says points to Christ, not a mere human ruler.

Who Is the Branch Raised Unto David?

Les teaches that the promise is made "unto David" and goes back to King David. In Isaiah 11:1, the Branch comes from the root of Jesse, who was David's father. Les identifies this Branch as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of David.

Where Will This King Reign and Prosper?

Les emphasizes that the King's rule will be in the earth, not in heaven. The King will reign, prosper, and execute judgment and justice in the earth. This will happen when Christ returns and sets up His kingdom, after His enemies are made His footstool.

What Does This Prophecy Mean for Israel's Future?

Les explains that Jeremiah 23:5 is part of the Old Testament promises to Israel. After Israel rejected and crucified their Messiah, He ascended until His enemies were made His footstool. Christ will return, set up His kingdom, and Israel will be the center of God's activity. Ezekiel's vision of dry bones shows the whole house of Israel coming back to national life and returning to their own land.

From the Teaching

The Bones Are the Whole House of Israel

Les explains that Ezekiel's dry bones represent the whole house of Israel, who were nationally dead among the Gentiles, and that God is restoring the nation in our day.

The Branch Is Capitalized as a Title

Les points to the capitals on "Branch" and "King" in Jeremiah 23:5 and identifies the Branch as Christ, the King who will execute judgment and justice in the earth.

The Branch Refers to the Messiah

Les teaches that the capitalized "Branch" throughout the Old Testament references the Messiah, applying Isaiah 11:1 to the Lord Jesus as the Son of David.

The King Shall Reign in the Earth

Les connects the capitalized "Branch" and "King" in Jeremiah 23:5 to Christ's return and the establishment of His kingdom on earth.

The Branch Comes from the Stem of Jesse

Les reads Isaiah 11:1 as a description of the kingdom, identifying the Branch from Jesse as the Messiah, Christ.

The Branch Is the Son of David

Les again links Jesse to David and explains that the Branch refers to the Messiah, Christ, the Son of David.

Old Testament Promises to Israel

Les grounds Jeremiah 23:5 in the Old Testament program where Israel was promised the King and the kingdom and would be the vehicle for the Gentiles to know God.

The Rejected King Is Coming Again

Les, coming to Jeremiah from Isaiah 9, describes the coming King who was rejected but is coming again, and says God Almighty will perform it.

Bible Verses

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 verse in question and directly names the righteous Branch as a King raised unto David.

Isaiah 11:1: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Les uses this verse to show the Branch grows from Jesse's root, identifying Christ as the Son of David.

Ezekiel 37:11: Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

Les references this verse when explaining that Israel's future restoration is pictured by the dry bones coming to life.

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 promise of David's throne to the coming King who was rejected but will return to rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'righteous Branch' mean in Jeremiah 23:5?

The righteous Branch is Christ, the Messiah. Les Feldick points out that the Branch is capitalized in Scripture as a title concerning deity, and that God says He will raise it unto David. It is a reference to the Lord Jesus in His Old Testament role as the Son of David.

Is the 'King' in Jeremiah 23:5 the same as the Branch?

Yes. The Branch is called 'a King' in the same verse. Since the Branch is capitalized and the King is capitalized, Les sees both as titles for the Messiah, Christ, who will reign and prosper and execute judgment and justice in the earth.

When will this King reign in the earth?

Les teaches this will happen when Christ returns and sets up His kingdom on earth. This is part of the Old Testament promises to Israel, and it will follow the time when Christ ascends until His enemies are made His footstool.

Where in the Bible does the Branch appear besides Jeremiah 23:5?

Isaiah 11:1 says a rod comes forth out of the stem of Jesse and a Branch grows out of his roots. Les explains that 'Branch' is capitalized throughout the Old Testament to refer to the Messiah.

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