Jeremiah 31:7-14 (NRSV)
Read Jeremiah 31:7-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, "Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel." Verse 8See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. Verse 9With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Verse 10Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." Verse 11For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. Verse 12They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Verse 13Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. Verse 14I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
Devotion
The beauty of these Spirit inspired verses is that they can today be viewed from a broad perspective of inclusiveness, an inclusive invitation that allows us to see ourselves as part of God´s “people,” who “weep” and are “scattered” around the world.
This invitation promises that God will “gather” us, and God will “ransom” us from whatever separates us from God, like a shepherd gathers his flock to himself. The Bible says that Jesus told his followers “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Jesus gave his life to pay the penalty price for our sins. By our faith in him and what he did in love for us on the cross, we are saved from sin and darkness, brought into the light of God´s grace and forgiveness, and given eternal life.
Prayer
O God our Redeemer, you created light so that we might live, and you illumine our world through your beloved Son. By your Holy Spirit, each day comfort us in the darkness and turn us toward the light of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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