Saturday 25 February 2023

Background

This passage gathers up some of the themes of the week. A new king David, representing God’s servant leadership, will unite the descendants of Abraham in the land from which they are presently exiled. This new Israel will be centred on a renewed covenant with God, a covenant of peace and blessing.

What began as a vision for national renewal developed over time into a vision of God’s final, definitive, kingdom of peace and justice. This was a vision that inspired both Jewish people, who looked for the Messianic age, and Christians, looking to the fulfilment of Christ’s kingdom. In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation picks up this vision, especially with its picture of the New Jerusalem:

“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they shall be his peoples, and God himself will be with them…” (Revelation 21:3).

For Methodists, the language of covenant is especially important as it reminds us of the annual service (usually at the beginning of the year) when we renew our covenant with God, receiving God’s promises to us and offering out own lives to God.

To Ponder:

• Can you think of a piece of music or a work of art that expresses a vision of God’s transforming presence?
• What, for you, would be the most important aspects of a covenant between God and God’s people?