In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
This promise was delivered by the prophet Jeremiah during one of the darkest moments in Israel's history — the people were about to be conquered and taken into exile in Babylon. It would feel like the end of everything. Into that darkness, God makes a stunning promise: someday a ruler will emerge from the family line of King David — Israel's greatest and most beloved king — who will actually be righteous and do what is just and right. The image of a "Branch" suggests new, tender growth from what looks like a dead or dying tree. Christians read this as a prophecy pointing forward to Jesus, who was indeed born centuries later as a descendant of David and who embodied justice and righteousness in a way no previous king ever had.
Lord, you made this promise into rubble and ruin, and you kept it. When my life feels like a city in collapse, remind me that you are the God of 'in those days' — that your timing isn't my timing, but your promises are real. Grow something new in me. Amen.
Jerusalem was burning. Jeremiah was in prison. The leaders who should have guided the people well had failed catastrophically, and the enemy was at the gate. And into exactly that moment — not before it, not after things improved — God delivers his most extravagant promise: someone is coming who will actually do what is right. The image is a branch. Small. Tender. Laughably fragile compared to the armies closing in. But branches have a habit of outliving the things that seemed so much more powerful. New life has a stubborn way of surprising everyone. Maybe you're in a moment that looks finished — a relationship that seems beyond repair, a hope you've nearly stopped voicing because it feels too vulnerable to say out loud, a situation that has all the appearance of a dead tree. This promise wasn't given to people who had it together; it was whispered directly into rubble. God specializes in "in those days and at that time" — assurances that have no visible basis in the current moment but are held firm anyway. What rubble in your life might be the precise place something new is being planned?
God gave this promise at the worst possible moment in Israel's history. Why do you think he chose that timing — and what does that reveal about how he tends to work?
Is there an area of your life where you're still waiting on something that looks impossible right now? How do you hold onto hope without forcing it?
Every king before this promised Branch had failed to consistently do what was just and right. What does it mean for justice and righteousness to be truly embodied in a person — not just commanded or aspired to?
How does the context of this promise — spoken to a suffering people — shape the way you might offer hope to someone in pain today, without minimizing their reality?
What would active, honest waiting look like for you this week — not giving up, but also not manufacturing false optimism?
In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
Isaiah 4:2
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.
Jeremiah 23:6
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isaiah 11:1
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.
Jeremiah 23:5
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Zechariah 6:12
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.
Isaiah 9:7
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Psalms 45:6
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:27
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He (the Messiah) shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.
AMP
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
ESV
'In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.
NASB
“‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.
NIV
‘In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
NKJV
“In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
NLT
When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right.
MSG