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Jeremiah 23 · Grade 5

A Righteous Branch and a Hammer-Like Word

Name Date

Read and Think

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Yahweh. With these words Jeremiah 23 closes the section on Judah's kings. The rulers had driven the flock away and had not visited them. God announced two responses. He would visit their evil on them, and he would personally gather the remnant of his flock and set up faithful shepherds over them.

At the center of the chapter is a promise that Christians have read as pointing to Jesus the Messiah. God would raise to David a righteous Branch, a king who will deal wisely and execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: Yahweh our righteousness. Many readers see a contrast with Zedekiah, whose name means Yahweh is righteous. God also promised a new exodus from the north, greater than the exodus from Egypt.

The second half confronts the false prophets. Their courses were evil, and they strengthened evildoers by promising peace. God asked who had stood in his council. He did not send these prophets, yet they ran. God is a God afar off, who fills heaven and earth; no one can hide from him. A dream is like straw, but God's word is wheat. Isn't my word like fire? says Yahweh; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

Show What You Know

  1. How had the shepherds failed?

  2. Whose name forms a contrast with Yahweh our righteousness?

  3. What test did God apply to the false prophets?

  4. What contrast does God make between dreams and his word?

Crossword

32154

Across

  1. And he will reign as king and deal ____.
  2. That I will raise to David a righteous ____.

Down

  1. Says against the ____ who feed my people.
  2. And he will reign as ____ and deal wisely.
  3. You have scattered my ____.

Think About It

  1. How can people tell the difference between a message that is straw and one that is wheat?

  2. Why might leaders who say all is well be dangerous when people need to change?

Memory Verse

“Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch; and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 23:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for the good King You promised. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What is a false prophet?
  • How can you listen to God's word?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.