Dear Friend,
March—here in New England, it’s a month of patiently waiting, as some of the first salutes to spring—the snowdrops, crocuses, and early daffodils—burst through the snow to herald the coming season’s green-filled glory.
The prophet Jeremiah drew on similar sprouting imagery when he foresaw a “Branch of righteousness” that the Lord would cause to “grow up unto David,” explaining comfortingly, “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness” (see Jeremiah 33:14–16). This passage marks a notable feminine complement to a nearly identical passage a few chapters earlier that closes with, “this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (see Jeremiah 23:5, 6, italics mine).
