Lent 2020 Day 24

Scripture Reading

Jeremiah 23:5-6

One of our professors in seminary would always tell us, "context, context, context...those are the three most important principles of properly interpreting a biblical text." This is certainly true with this passage. Jeremiah was a prophet who constantly reminded the Israelites of the future hope of Yahweh that was contained in the promises of the Messiah. 

The first four verses of Jeremiah 23 are Yahweh pronouncing his promise to gather his people back unto himself. It is important that we see the faithfulness of God in these verses. His purpose has always been to call a people to himself who would live in relationship with him. The Lord demonstrates his covenant commitment. Remember his covenant with Israel was always contingent on what he did, not what Israel did. So we also see in the context of this passage the overarching theme of God's faithfulness to his promises. 

Bound to God's covenant promises to David was the promise of his descendants who will sit on the throne and reign wisely. As we look at these verses today our immediate thought is Solomon. He was David's son. He was noted for his wisdom and justice. In one sense this is referring to Solomon and his reign as King of Israel. Solomon was a great king who spread the influence and territory of Israel throughout the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean worlds. However, there is a bigger context that we need to see in this passage and that is the messianic aspect of these verses. Jeremiah's prophecy through Yahweh is recording the nature of the Messiah's reign. The characteristics of "safety, salvation, being just, righteousness" are all things that characterize Jesus and his role as the Messiah, which was what God promised to David. So then the context of this passage is both immediate and future and as believers we must understand it for its implications for Israel during Solomon's reign and as Jesus Christ reigns eternally with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

As followers of the promised Messiah we are called to live lives that reflect the justice, righteousness, safety, and salvation of God. Are we doing that? Do we help people around us who are in desperate need? Do we as individuals and as the church offer a safe place to people who are broken, hurting, and desperate to experience the love of God? Are we telling people about the promise of salvation that is only found in Jesus?

Prayer: Father, help me to offer justice, righteousness, safety, and most of all salvation to people around me. I pray that I will learn more and more what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and to take up my cross daily. Amen.