Jeremiah, Chapter 23, verses 1-6
1 He prophesieth a restoration of the scattered flock, 5 Christ shall rule and save themEphesians, Chapter 2, verses 13-18
13 and being brought near by Christ, should not live as Gentiles and foreigners in time past2
2:13 Far off - From God and his people. Nigh - Intimately united to both.
2:14 For he is our peace - Not only as he purchased it, but as he is the very bond and centre of union. He who hath made both - Jews and gentiles, one church. The apostle describes,
- The conjunction of the gentiles with Israel, Eph 2:14-15. And,
- The conjunction of both with God, Eph 2:15-18.
2:15 Having abolished by his suffering in the flesh the cause of enmity between the Jews and gentiles, even the law of ceremonial commandments, through his decrees - Which offer mercy to all; see Col 2:14.That he might form the two - Jew and gentile. Into one new man - one mystical body.
2:16 In one body - One church. Having slain - By his own death on the cross. The enmity - Which had been between sinners and God.
2:17 And he came - After his resurrection. And preached peace - By his ministers and his Spirit. To you - Gentiles. That were afar off - At the utmost distance from God. And to them that were nigh - To the Jews, who were comparatively nigh, being his visible church.
2:18 For through him, we both - Jews and gentiles. Have access - Liberty of approaching, by the guidance and aid of one Spirit toGod as our Father. Christ, the Spirit, and the Father, the three - one God, stand frequently in the same order.
23 Woe against wicked pastors, the scattered flock shall be gathered, Christ shall rule and save them, Jer 23:1-8.
Against false prophets, Jer 23:9-32.
And mockers of the true, Jer 23:33-40.
23:2 That feed - They are said to have fed this people, because it was their duty so to do.
23:5 Behold - Even the Jewish doctors, as well as the Christian interpreters, understand this as a prophecy of the Messiah who is called the branch, Isa 4:2 Jer 23, Isa 53:2, .And here, he is called the righteous branch, not only because himself was righteous, but because he maketh his people righteous.Shall execute - Protecting the innocent, and defending his people throughout the world, judging the prince of the world, and by his spirit governing his people.
23:6 Judah - During the reign and kingdom of the Messiah the people of God typified by Judah and Israel shall be saved with a spiritual salvation, and God will be a special protection to them. And this - The name wherewith this branch shall be called, shall be, The Lord our righteousness. This place is an eminent proof of the Godhead of Christ, he is here called Jehovah, and what is proper to God alone, namely to justify, is here applied to Christ. He who knew no sin, was made sin, (that is, a sacrifice for sin) for us, that we might be made, the righteousness of God in him.