NOTES for Jer 23:5-8
In many cultures—indeed, in almost all except our modern one—a name was not merely a word, but an expression of essence. This is why the names of God in Holy Scripture are so important. Today’s reading mentions this name of the King: “The Lord is our righteousness.” It follows that this is important not only for understanding our relationship with Him, but also for understanding Him. It is generally obvious that we can have no justification apart from Him. What could justify us? What could free us from responsibility for our actions? Only He can have mercy and free us from the consequences of what we do. But this is also part of His essence. He is the One who shows infinite mercy, the One who does not demand justice but Himself justifies the sinner. He justifies in the only possible way—by taking the guilt and the consequences of guilt upon Himself...