Thursday 18 December 2008
- Bible Book:
- Jeremiah
"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." (v.5)
Background
Around 600 years before Christ, the kingdom of Judah was invadedand many of its people taken forcibly to Babylon, while someremained at home in a devastated land. Of those who remained, manylater escaped and lived in exile in Egypt. Jeremiah's long ministryas a prophet began some years before this exile period, foretellingthe invasion and warning the Jewish people how to avoid it. Thiscarried on into the exile, where his words were carried bymessengers to Babylon, and possibly taken by Jeremiah himself intoEgypt.
His prophecy was deeply controversial and spoke of Judah abandoningitself to God's judgement. The Jewish people who were to receivethis message would have been suffering from serious doubts aboutthe future. They would be wondering whether God had abandoned themaltogether. Jeremiah's words are graphic, powerful anduncompromising: the failings of God's people are taken veryseriously. Yet in their midst lies glimmers of grace andhope.
Today's passage follows on from Jeremiah lambasting all the rulersof Judah since the great reformer, King Josiah. The throne of KingDavid had been populated by a sorry lot who compromised the faithof the people and ruled without justice or integrity. But here weget a glimpse of something better. Unimaginably better. God willraise up a king who will rule with wisdom, justice and fairness,doing God's will. And what's more, he will be a part of David'sfamily line ("branch"). Hidden in the name of the last king ofJudah (Zedekiah, which means 'righteousness of the Lord') there isa prophecy of things to come.
Finally, the prophet speaks of a bringing together of the people ofGod - a return home greater than the Exodus. Although many of theexiles did return, the Jewish people remained largely dispersed.Even to this day, this prophecy is seen as yet to be completed. Inthe midst of great devastation at the time of Jeremiah, we hearrumours of the presence of the Lord bringing hope to God'speople.
To Ponder
What happens when our human failings and sin aremagnified and compounded in national government? Where in the worlddo we see this problem today? What do you think God's responsemight be?
Advent is a time when our hearts 'await' the newborn king - Jesus. Yet it is also a time when we await his returnto rule as righteous king over all. Try to imagine what this willbe like... and maybe you might get a glimpse of the kingdom ofGod.