• “I Will Raise Up One Shepherd”
    Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!

    • 8-10. How did Jehovah describe the future Messianic Ruler, and how is the prophecy fulfilled? (See also the box “Messianic Prophecy​—The Majestic Cedar Tree.”)

      8 There is, however, a ruler who is fully worthy of our confidence and trust. After presenting the prophetic riddle about the transplanted shoot, Jehovah drew on the same poetic imagery to describe the future Messianic Ruler.

      9 What the prophecy says. (Read Ezekiel 17:22-24.) Now it is not great eagles but Jehovah himself who will take action. He will pluck a tender shoot “from the top of the lofty cedar and plant it . . . on a high and lofty mountain.” This shoot will flourish, becoming “a majestic cedar” providing lodging for “every kind of bird.” Then “all the trees of the field” will know that it is Jehovah himself who has made this majestic tree flourish.

      10 How the prophecy is fulfilled. Jehovah plucked his Son, Jesus Christ, from the kingly line of David (“the lofty cedar”) and planted him on heavenly Mount Zion (“a high and lofty mountain”). (Ps. 2:6; Jer. 23:5; Rev. 14:1) Jehovah thus took his Son, who was considered “the lowliest of men” by his enemies, and exalted him by giving him “the throne of David his father.” (Dan. 4:17; Luke 1:32, 33) Like a majestic cedar, the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, will tower over the entire earth and be a source of blessing for all his subjects. Here, indeed, is the Ruler worthy of our trust. In the shade of Jesus’ Kingdom rule, obedient humans earth wide will “dwell in security and be undisturbed by the dread of calamity.”​—Prov. 1:33.

      11. What important lesson can we learn from the prophecy about the “tender shoot” that becomes “a majestic cedar”?

      11 What we can learn from the prophecy. The thrilling prophecy about the “tender shoot” that becomes “a majestic cedar” enables us to answer an all-important question: In whom will we place our trust? It is foolish to trust in human governments and their military might. To find real security, we are wise to place our full confidence and trust in the Messianic King, Jesus Christ. The heavenly government in his capable hands is mankind’s only hope.​—Rev. 11:15.