Week 27: Mishpatim Haftarah – “The Unbreakable Promise”
Jeremiah 33:14-26 – David’s Throne Will Never Be Empty
ABOUT THIS HAFTARAH READING
Torah Portion: Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18) – “Judgments” Haftarah Reading: Jeremiah 33:25-26, 34:8-22 (Ashkenazi tradition)
Date for 2026: February 14, 2026 Primary Messianic Focus: Jeremiah 33:20-21, 25-26 – God’s covenant with David is as certain as day and night
Why This Haftarah is Paired With Mishpatim:
Connection: Both readings deal with covenant faithfulness and justice:
- Torah (Mishpatim): The covenant code – laws governing Israel’s society, justice system, treatment of servants, property rights
- Haftarah (Jeremiah 33): God’s faithful covenant promises despite Israel’s unfaithfulness
Theme: God’s justice and covenant loyalty even when His people fail
THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT – JEREMIAH’S IMPRISONMENT
Setting: Jeremiah 33:1 – “The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard”
Timeline:
- 586 BC – Babylon is besieging Jerusalem
- Jeremiah has prophesied Jerusalem’s destruction
- King Zedekiah imprisoned Jeremiah for “treasonous” prophecies
- The city is about to fall, temple about to be destroyed
- Everything looks hopeless
Yet in this moment of utter despair, God gives Jeremiah the most hopeful prophecy about David’s throne.
JEREMIAH 33:14-18 – THE BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Promise of Messiah
Jeremiah 33:14-16:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 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. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.'”
Key Elements:
- “Days are coming” – Future, Messianic time
- “Righteous Branch” – Messianic title (see Isaiah 4:2, 11:1, Zechariah 3:8, 6:12)
- “Spring up for David” – From David’s lineage
- “Execute justice and righteousness” – Messiah’s character and rule
- “The LORD is our righteousness” – The name echoes Jeremiah 23:5-6 where it’s the Messiah’s name
Connection to Jeremiah 23:5-6: This is a repetition and expansion of an earlier prophecy. In Jeremiah 23:6, the Messiah is called “The LORD Our Righteousness.” Here in 33:16, Jerusalem shares that name because she reflects the righteousness the Messiah gives her.
JEREMIAH 33:19-22 – THE COVENANT AS CERTAIN AS DAY AND NIGHT
The Unbreakable Covenant
Jeremiah 33:19-21:
“The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ‘Thus says the LORD: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers.'”
The Argument:
- Premise: God’s covenant with day and night is unbreakable
- Evidence: Day and night come with absolute reliability
- Conclusion: God’s covenant with David is equally unbreakable
What This Means: As long as the sun rises and sets, David will have a descendant on the throne. This is not conditional on Israel’s behavior—it’s based on God’s faithfulness alone.
The Multiplication Promise
Jeremiah 33:22:
“As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.”
Connection to Abraham:
- Genesis 15:5 – God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars
- Genesis 22:17 – As numerous as sand on the seashore
- Now God applies the same promise to David’s line
Christian Understanding:
- The “offspring of David” = All who are “in Christ” (the Son of David)
- Galatians 3:29 – “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring”
- Revelation 7:9 – “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation”
JEREMIAH 33:23-26 – RESPONDING TO DOUBT
The People’s Complaint
Jeremiah 33:24:
“Have you not observed what these people are saying? ‘The LORD has rejected the two clans that he chose.’ Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight.”
The Situation:
- Jerusalem is falling
- The kingdom is ending
- Foreign nations are mocking: “Where’s your God now?”
- Even Israelites are doubting: “God has abandoned His promises”
God’s Emphatic Response
Jeremiah 33:25-26:
“Thus says the LORD: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.”
The Logic:
- Premise: God established the laws of nature (day/night, seasons, orbits)
- Observation: These laws have never failed
- Conclusion: God’s covenant with David will never fail either
Even after exile, even after punishment, God will:
- Restore their fortunes
- Show mercy
- Bring back a descendant of David to rule
ANCIENT JEWISH SOURCES ON JEREMIAH 33
1. TARGUM JONATHAN – MESSIANIC INTERPRETATION
Source: Sefaria – Targum Jonathan on Jeremiah 33
Quote from Enduring Word Commentary on Targum:
“Strangely, the Targum has a messianic interpretation here and substitutes the word ‘Messiah‘ for ‘the one who counts them.'” (Feinberg, referencing Jeremiah 33:13)
Significance: The ancient Aramaic translation used in synagogues saw Messianic significance in Jeremiah 33. While the exact verse reference is to 33:13 (counting sheep), the entire chapter was understood in Messianic context.
2. JEWISH COMMENTATORS ON “THE BRANCH”
The Branch (צֶמַח, tsemach) in Jeremiah 33:15:
This is a recognized Messianic title in Jewish tradition:
- Isaiah 4:2 – “In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious”
- Zechariah 3:8 – “I will bring my servant the Branch”
- Zechariah 6:12 – “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch”
Jewish Understanding: Even traditional Jewish sources recognize “Branch” as a Messianic term, though they debate which person fulfills it (future Messiah ben David).
THE PROBLEM: DAVID’S LINE ENDED
Historical Reality:
The Last Kings of Judah:
- Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) – 2 Kings 24:8-17
- Reigned 3 months
- Taken to Babylon in 597 BC
- Jeremiah 22:30 – “Write this man down as childless… none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David”
- Zedekiah – 2 Kings 25:1-7
- Last king of Judah
- Blinded and taken to Babylon in 586 BC
- Sons killed before his eyes
- Line of David ended
The 2,500 Year Gap:
- 586 BC – Last Davidic king
- 1948 AD – Israel becomes a nation again (no king)
- 2026 AD – Still no Davidic king on a throne in Jerusalem
The Question: If God’s promise is as certain as day and night, and the sun still rises every morning, where is David’s descendant on the throne?
CHRISTIAN INTERPRETATION – JESUS AS THE FULFILLMENT
The Genealogy Evidence
Matthew 1:1:
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Matthew 1:6:
“And Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon…”
Matthew traces Jesus’ legal line through Joseph back to David through Solomon (the kingly line).
Luke 3:31: Luke traces Jesus’ bloodline through Mary back to David through Nathan (another son of David).
Result: Jesus is David’s descendant both legally (adoption by Joseph) and biologically (through Mary).
The Angel’s Announcement
Luke 1:30-33 (Angel Gabriel to Mary):
“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'”
Key Phrases:
- “Throne of his father David” – Direct reference to 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and Jeremiah 33:17
- “Reign… forever” – Fulfills “no end to his government” (Isaiah 9:7)
- “Kingdom will be no end” – Matches Jeremiah 33:17 “David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne”
Jesus’ Current Reign
Acts 2:29-36 (Peter at Pentecost):
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ… This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Peter’s Argument:
- David died and stayed dead
- God promised David a descendant on his throne forever
- Jesus rose from the dead
- Jesus is now exalted at God’s right hand
- Therefore, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant
Ephesians 1:20-22:
“…when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.”
Jesus is reigning NOW:
- At God’s right hand
- Over all authority and power
- Head over all things
- His kingdom is growing (2+ billion followers worldwide)
THE TIMING – WHY NO KING SINCE 586 BC?
The Christian Answer:
The Messiah had to come BEFORE:
- The genealogical records were destroyed (70 AD with temple destruction)
- The tribal distinctions were lost (after 70 AD diaspora)
- A future claimant could prove Davidic descent
Jesus’ credentials were established WHILE:
- The temple still stood (could verify genealogies)
- Tribal records were intact (knew He was from Judah/David’s line)
- Prophecies could be checked (scrolls in synagogues)
After 70 AD:
- No way to verify anyone’s Davidic lineage
- No temple, no records, no tribal registry
- Any future “messiah” claimant cannot prove descent from David
The “Already/Not Yet” Kingdom
Already:
- Jesus IS on David’s throne (spiritually, in heaven)
- His kingdom IS growing (the church across all nations)
- He IS reigning (at God’s right hand with all authority)
Not Yet:
- Physical throne in Jerusalem
- Universal acknowledgment
- Visible, earthly reign
This explains the 2,000-year gap:
- Jesus fulfills the promise spiritually NOW
- Physical, visible fulfillment comes at His return
- The promise is being kept continuously – He never ceased to reign
MODERN JEWISH RESPONSES
How Judaism Explains the Missing King:
1. Waiting for Future Messiah ben David:
- Messiah has not come yet
- When he does, he will restore David’s throne in Jerusalem
- Will be a political/military leader who brings world peace
2. The Promises Are Spiritual, Not Political:
- Some modern Jewish scholars interpret “throne” metaphorically
- David’s “reign” continues through Torah study and keeping commandments
- The “kingdom” is the ongoing Jewish people and tradition
3. The Covenant Was Conditional:
- Some argue Israel’s sins voided the covenant
- Exile and lack of king is punishment
- Restoration awaits full repentance
Counter-Arguments:
Re: #1 (Future Messiah):
- It’s been 2,586 years – how much longer?
- Jeremiah 33 says the promise is as certain as day/night – not delayed thousands of years
Re: #2 (Spiritual throne):
- The text explicitly says “a son to reign on his throne” – literal language
- The context is about kings and priests – not metaphorical
Re: #3 (Conditional covenant):
- Jeremiah 33:25-26 says even if they’re punished, God will “restore their fortunes”
- The covenant is compared to day/night – unconditional natural laws
- Verse 26: “For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them”
THE COVENANT WITH THE LEVITICAL PRIESTS
The Parallel Promise (Jeremiah 33:18):
“And the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”
The Problem:
- No temple since 70 AD
- No Levitical priesthood functioning
- No sacrifices for nearly 2,000 years
Jewish Response:
- Prayer replaces sacrifice (Hosea 14:2)
- Study of sacrificial laws substitutes for offerings
- Awaiting third temple when priesthood will be restored
Christian Response:
Hebrews 7:11-17:
“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well… For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.'”
Hebrews 7:23-25:
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
The Argument:
- Jesus is the eternal High Priest (Melchizedek order, not Levitical)
- The Levitical priesthood was temporary, pointing to Him
- He offers Himself once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14)
- His priesthood never ends – He “always lives”
This fulfills Jeremiah 33:18:
- “Never lack a man in my presence to offer” – Jesus continually intercedes (Hebrews 7:25)
- “Offer burnt offerings… forever” – His sacrifice is eternal (Hebrews 10:10-14)
KEY QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
For Jewish Readers:
- Where is David’s descendant today?
- Jeremiah 33:21 says David will “not [cease to] have a son to reign on his throne”
- It’s been 2,586 years since the last Davidic king
- How do you reconcile God’s promise (as certain as day/night) with 2,500+ years without a king?
- What about the timing?
- Jesus was born before genealogical records were destroyed
- Any future “messiah” cannot prove Davidic descent
- Could God’s timing be significant?
- What about the Levitical priesthood promise?
- Jeremiah 33:18 promises priests “forever”
- There’s been no functioning Levitical priesthood since 70 AD
- Prayer replaces sacrifice – but is that what “forever” means in the text?
For Christian Readers:
- How do you explain the “already/not yet”?
- Jesus reigns now, but not visibly from Jerusalem
- The kingdom is growing, but wars still exist
- How do you present this to someone expecting immediate, visible fulfillment?
- What about the physical throne in Jerusalem?
- Will there be a literal, physical reign from Jerusalem in the future?
- Or is the spiritual reign from heaven the complete fulfillment?
- How does this relate to Israel today?
- Israel is back in the land (since 1948)
- Does this fulfill Jeremiah 33:26 “I will restore their fortunes”?
- What’s the connection between modern Israel and Messianic prophecy?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Christian Sources:
- Enduring Word – Jeremiah 33 Commentary
- Enduring Word Commentary
- Detailed verse-by-verse analysis
- Targum references
- Historical context
- David Guzik Study Guide – Jeremiah 33
- Blue Letter Bible – Guzik Commentary
- Focus on covenant certainty
- Messianic interpretation
- Application for believers
- Study Light – Jeremiah 33 Old & New Testament Restoration
- Study Light Commentary
- Multiple scholarly perspectives
- Focus on “Branch of Righteousness”
Jewish Sources:
- Sefaria – Jeremiah 33 with Rashi
- Sefaria – Jeremiah 33
- Hebrew text with Rashi’s commentary
- Targum Jonathan available
- Chabad – Jeremiah Chapter 33
- Chabad.org – Jeremiah 33
- Traditional Jewish interpretation
- Hebrew/English parallel text
Academic/Balanced:
- Jews for Jesus – Messianic New Covenant
- Jews for Jesus – New Covenant Article
- Connection between Jeremiah 31 (new covenant) and Jeremiah 33 (Davidic covenant)
- Both fulfilled in Messiah
SUMMARY – THE CENTRAL ISSUE
The Unbreakable Promise:
God says His covenant with David is as certain as:
- ✅ The sun rising every morning
- ✅ The moon appearing every night
- ✅ The seasons changing on schedule
- ✅ The laws of physics
The sun has risen every single day for 2,586 years since the last Davidic king.
So where is David’s descendant on the throne?
Two Answers:
Jewish: Waiting for future Messiah to restore throne (but 2,586 years and counting…)
Christian: Jesus is reigning NOW from heaven; visible reign comes at His return
The Question: Which interpretation better explains:
- The 2,500+ year gap?
- The destroyed genealogical records?
- The timing of Jesus’ claims?
- The continuous reign promise (“never lack”)?
- The growth of His kingdom (2+ billion followers)?
Last Updated: February 2026
Next Study: Vayikra – “The Sacrificial System” (Leviticus 1:1-5:26) – March 21, 2026
