Jeremiah 23:1–6
Restoration after Exile
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
The Righteous Branch of David
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Reflection - Live the Call
Remember this passage was during a time that the Jews were being scattered and torn apart for their disobedience to God and the following of false gods in God's presence. This was a time of chaos in the family. So, Jeremiah proclaims caution to those who would scatter the sheep.
A shepherd gathers the sheep together, the shepherd does not scatter the sheep. And with this in mind the grand hope and promise of a shepherd that would gather the lost sheep of the family of Judah and the Israelites appeals to all involved. The promise and the hope of a shepherd that will come from the family of David the great King that gathered the people together as one and led them into the wonderful reign of King Solomon when all seem good and right with the world.
In the days that were longed and hoped for, in the days of this great and coming King, "Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety."
Today, we have been given this King, this Jesus, this Savior of all people. We live in the time that was hoped for and are blessed with the assurance that Jesus will come again in final glory to save all his people. We live in this promised time that was long hoped for, yet we act as if we don't have the promise. Turn and live into the promise. Look and see the King at your side. Rejoice in the grace of God's love and salvation. Even in this fallen and sinful world we live in the wonderful and fulfilled hope of the King! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, you fill your people with grace and love and hope. As we gather together in your name, unite us in the love you have shown to us that we may live out our call and show that same love to those that you give to us day by day... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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