Everyone likes to hear a secret; inside information from someone important is a privilege indeed. At the start of Jeremiah 33, it’s the Creator Himself who is whispering in the ear of His prophet one of the great promises of the Bible: “Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” After months of siege, the city of Jerusalem is about to fall into the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah himself is still in jail. Judgment is imminent. The exile is inevitable. But God wants His people to look beyond the impending disaster and contemplate His purposes (v 1-5). Though Jerusalem will soon become a wasteland, God will restore the city, making it prosperous and secure once again. Though Jeremiah had spent much of his ministry rebuking the false prophets for proclaiming “Peace, peace,” when there was no peace (6:14; 8:11), God reveals that true peace will come only when the guilt of their sin is removed. At the center of this great and unsearchable plan is the cross of Jesus Christ, where forgiveness and cleansing is provided for all who receive what Jeremiah was promised. If this includes you, how can you not stand in awe and offer your praise? (v 6-9). When God restores the fortunes of Judah, the sound of joyful songs will again be heard in the streets. Wedding celebrations will return, along with services of thanksgiving. And God also has a remarkable secret to share with farmers. Crops and livestock are always destroyed in warfare, but when the land is at peace, soldiers can become shepherds again. God promises that His righteous King, a son of David, will come at such a time. And so, when the Savior is born, of course the good news would be announced to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night! (Luke 2:8-11). Just as Jeremiah said! (v 10-16). Throughout the Old Testament, David’s dynasty is assured by God Himself. The crown would be passed from one generation to the next, until a final King comes to rule forever. But if David’s kingdom ever seemed in jeopardy, it was during the days of Jeremiah. With captivity just ahead, people were saying that God’s promise had failed. But God never fails. David and his sons may have failed, but not God. He will preserve the descendants of David from King Zedekiah all the way to Jesus Christ. This promised Messiah is not only an eternal King, but a permanent Priest. To this very day, He stands before the Father in heaven, interceding on our behalf. God’s covenant with David and Levi is as certain as the sunrise and sunset. Our risen Lord will rule forever, presenting His sacrifice as a once-for-all payment for sin (v 17-26). For further meditation: