Jeremiah 23:1 “Oh no! The shepherds are destroying and scattering the sheep in my pasture!” says Adonai. 2 Therefore this is what Adonai, the God of Isra’el, says against the shepherds who shepherd my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away and not taken care of them. So I will ‘take care of’ you because of your evil deeds,” says Adonai. 3 “I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers. 4 I will appoint shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing,” says Adonai.
5 “The days are coming,” says Adonai
when I will raise a righteous Branch for David.
He will reign as king and succeed,
he will do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Y’hudah will be saved,
Isra’el will live in safety,
and the name given to him will be
Adonai Tzidkenu [Adonai our righteousness]. (Complete Jewish Bible).
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Suggested by the readings for this week, our devotional reflections will center around the theme of the root word "REST." Today's theme is "RESToration."
The reading from Jeremiah gives hope to us sheep who may be feeling lost or abandoned. To any sheep who live in fear or are disheartened by the way their life has turned out, who feel they have been left to fend for themselves or that they don't fit in, Jeremiah's words offer comfort and hope. The Good shepherd will "bring them back to the fold." God is there to RESTore their relationship with each other and in the family. God promises to give them the strength they need to care for each other so that they may live and prosper.
The RESToration continues as God gives a picture of peace and justice winning out over oppression. All God's children are invited to stop running away from their fears, to come and REST, to feel safe and secure in the outstretched arms of our shepherd.
God of restoration, restore our relationship with you and bring us home to rest in your loving arms. Help us to attend to the needs of our brothers and sisters so that we all might live life abundantly in you. Amen.
Meg Sander, '83
Transitional Pastor, Immanuel Zion Lutheran and Zion Lutheran Church, Albion, Nebraska
Jeremiah 23:Restoration after Exile
23 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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
5 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. 6 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.” (New Revised Standard Version).
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