Weekly Sermon Insights: Jeremiah 23

The Lord Our Righeousness

June 28, 2026

Greg Johnson

Message Notes

Study Notes: Jeremiah 23 — False Shepherds, God’s Presence, and Righteousness

Main Theme

•  Woe to false shepherds/prophets who scatter God’s people through lies, immorality, and self-serving teaching.

•  God sees everything (omnipresence) and will judge evil while raising up righteous leadership.

•  Central promise: “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Yahweh Tsidqenu) — pointing to Christ.

•  Challenge: Share God’s true Word faithfully; live aware of His surrounding presence.

Key Sections in Jeremiah 23

1. Judgment on False Shepherds (vv. 1–4)

•  Woe to leaders who destroy and scatter the sheep.

•  God will attend to their evil deeds.

•  Promise: God will gather the remnant, bring them back, and set faithful shepherds over them (no more fear or missing sheep).

2. The Righteous Branch (vv. 5–6)

•  “Behold, the days are coming” — God will raise up for David a righteous Branch.

•  He will reign wisely, execute justice and righteousness.

•  Judah saved, Israel secure.

•  Name: “The Lord is our Righteousness” (Yahweh Tsidqenu).

•  Powerful contrast to our own filthy-rag righteousness (Isaiah 64:6).

•  Christ covers us with His perfect righteousness.

3. Condemnation of False Prophets (vv. 9–40)

•  Prophets and priests are ungodly (adultery, lies, strengthening evildoers).

•  They speak visions from their own minds, not from God (“I have dreamed!”).

•  They give false peace (“It shall be well with you”; “No disaster shall come”).

•  Result: The land mourns; ungodliness spreads.

•  God will feed them bitterness and give them poison water (judgment).

•  They make God’s people forget His name (like Baal worship in the past).

4. God’s Omnipresence & the Power of His Word (vv. 23–29)

•  “Am I a God at hand… and not a God far away?… Do I not fill heaven and earth?”

•  No one can hide from God.

•  His Word is like fire and like a hammer that breaks rock in pieces.

•  Contrast: Straw (false words) vs. wheat (true Word).

Applications & Personal Reflection

•  Leadership responsibility: Shepherds (pastors, teachers, parents, influencers) must care for the flock, not scatter it.

•  Discernment: Test teachings — do they come from God’s Word or human imagination?

•  God’s presence: His Spirit is within us and His presence surrounds us everywhere. This should shape our thoughts, words, eyes, and actions.

•  No fear.

•  Care for the perishing.

•  Guard what we look at and say.

•  Focus thoughts on Him.

•  Be thankful, encouraging, and enduring.

•  Our calling: Share the true Word faithfully so others know the Lord is our Righteousness.

•  Marinate on Scripture — let it permeate life and influence behavior.

Closing Prayer Emphasis

•  Thanks for God’s Word that is powerful like fire and a hammer.

•  Prayer for awareness of His surrounding presence.

•  Desire to be faithful shepherds who point people to Christ and care for the flock.

Christ-centered hope in the Righteous Branch, and practical call to holy living in light of God’s omnipresence. The message encourages believers to evaluate their own influence and boldly share the true gospel in a world full of false teaching.