Jeremiah 31:6 (7) For here is what Adonai says:
“Sing with joy for Ya‘akov!
shout for the chief of the nations!
Proclaim your praise, and say:
‘Adonai! You have saved your people,
the remnant of Isra’el!’
7 (8) Look! I am bringing them from the land in the north,
gathering them from the far ends of the earth;
among them are the blind and lame,
women with children, women in labor,
all together, a vast throng
returning here.
8 (9) They will come weeping and praying
as I bring them back.
I will lead them by streams of water
on smooth paths, so that they won’t stumble.
For I am a father to Isra’el,
and Efrayim is my firstborn son.”
9 (10) Nations, hear the word of Adonai!
Proclaim it in the coastlands far away. Say:
“He who scattered Isra’el is gathering him,
guarding him like a shepherd his flock.” (Complete Jewish Bible)
“Sing with joy for Ya‘akov!
shout for the chief of the nations!
Proclaim your praise, and say:
‘Adonai! You have saved your people,
the remnant of Isra’el!’
7 (8) Look! I am bringing them from the land in the north,
gathering them from the far ends of the earth;
among them are the blind and lame,
women with children, women in labor,
all together, a vast throng
returning here.
8 (9) They will come weeping and praying
as I bring them back.
I will lead them by streams of water
on smooth paths, so that they won’t stumble.
For I am a father to Isra’el,
and Efrayim is my firstborn son.”
9 (10) Nations, hear the word of Adonai!
Proclaim it in the coastlands far away. Say:
“He who scattered Isra’el is gathering him,
guarding him like a shepherd his flock.” (Complete Jewish Bible)
***
The sonorous sound reverberates through the still, morning chill. Standing outside our remote cabin on Kroto Slough some 50 air miles northwest of Anchorage, I don't have to guess the "what and where." Trumpeter swans are heading south, dragging our daylight with them. In just a few weeks in Utqiagvik--the town formerly known as Barrow--the sun will set and not rise again for two months! Around Anchorage--although not staged as dramatically as in Utqiagvik--less daylight means more snowbirds, both feathered and human--heading south. Leaving the land of the north. Migrating toward, attracted to, searching for, hoping for warmth--of body, mind or spirit--wherever it is rumored to be.
Not so for God's people! No more aimless wandering, no more searching, no more chasing hither or yon after merely hopeful rumors--for "I will [lead them] in a straight path in which they shall not stumble," says our Lord.
Hear, O Gracious God, this song of gladness--my shout-out to you this day. Though I cry, "Save, O Lord, your people," even that cry ends on a note of hope. May that note become my song this day. Amen.
8 See, 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.
9 With 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. (New Revised Standard Version).
The sonorous sound reverberates through the still, morning chill. Standing outside our remote cabin on Kroto Slough some 50 air miles northwest of Anchorage, I don't have to guess the "what and where." Trumpeter swans are heading south, dragging our daylight with them. In just a few weeks in Utqiagvik--the town formerly known as Barrow--the sun will set and not rise again for two months! Around Anchorage--although not staged as dramatically as in Utqiagvik--less daylight means more snowbirds, both feathered and human--heading south. Leaving the land of the north. Migrating toward, attracted to, searching for, hoping for warmth--of body, mind or spirit--wherever it is rumored to be.
Not so for God's people! No more aimless wandering, no more searching, no more chasing hither or yon after merely hopeful rumors--for "I will [lead them] in a straight path in which they shall not stumble," says our Lord.
Hear, O Gracious God, this song of gladness--my shout-out to you this day. Though I cry, "Save, O Lord, your people," even that cry ends on a note of hope. May that note become my song this day. Amen.
Keith Muschinske, '89
Chaplain, USAF, Retired, Eagle River, Alaska
Jeremiah 31:7 For 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."8 See, 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.
9 With 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. (New Revised Standard Version).
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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