000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

288 Proper 29 [34]/Year C
and to the deity to protect and provide for the community. Jewish monarchs
were to see that the community lived in covenant with God and one
another and that the community provided for the poor (e.g., Ps. 72).
In Jeremiah 23, the prophet interprets the rulers of Judah during the
years before the exile as “false shepherds.” The prophet charged them
with allowing idolatry (Jer. 2:11; 10:3–11; 14:22), with seeking protection
against Babylon by alliances with Egypt (2:18), with failing the covenant
by leaving the poor destitute (e.g., 5:28; 6:13), and with failing to practice
other aspects of their religion (e.g., chap. 7; 8:8; 14:13–16; 17:22).
In the brief oracle of judgment in 23:1–2, Jeremiah begins, as occasionally
elsewhere, with the word “Woe,” which was commonly used at
funerals. This word signals to the listeners that the message that follows
is a kind of funeral homily for the false shepherds. God will dethrone them
and send them into exile (vv. 1–2).
Exile and punishment, however, are not the last words. Jeremiah
affirms that God will renew the community in the future. In 23:3–4 God
promises to gather a “remnant” from the exile and return them to Israel.
God will “raise up shepherds” who will lead the community in “being
fruitful” and “multiplying,” which will fulfill God’s purposes for human
life (Gen. 1:28).
In 23:5–6, the prophet specifies the character of the new line of shepherds.
The new ruler will come from the house of David, but will be “a
righteous Branch.” The ruler will “deal wisely and shall execute justice
and righteousness in the land.” The latter qualities (justice and righteousness)
indicate that the vocation of the renewed monarchy is to help
the community order its life according to the stipulations of the covenant
so that all live in accordance with the divine purposes. The name of the
new leader will be “The LORD is our righteousness” (v. 6), that is, the new
sovereign will rule by the principles of living according to covenant that
graciously come from God. Jeremiah articulates a vision of the leader that
could be a norm against which to measure any leader.
Jeremiah did not have Jesus in mind as the “righteous Branch.” Nevertheless,
today the Gospel lection intends for us to interpret Jesus as a
descendant of David who rules by establishing justice and righteousness.
By reading from the story of the death of Jesus (Luke 23:33–43), the
lectionary reminds the community that Jesus’ reign is not that of a selfserving
Caesar but that of one who, according to Luke, is willing to
become a martyr to demonstrate the depth to which to go to be faithful
to God’s purposes.