November 2, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Bring Us Back

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Loving Lord, I come to You at Your invitation, drawn by the magnetism of Your love and the need for Your guidance.

Read JEREMIAH 31:1-22

For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.

[1] “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” [2] This is what the LORD says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.” [3] The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. [4] I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful. [5] Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit. [6] There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'” [7] This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ [8] See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. [9] They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. [10] “Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’ [11] For the LORD will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. [12] They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD- the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. [13] Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. [14] I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty,” declares the LORD. [15] This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” [16] This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy. [17] So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the LORD. “Your children will return to their own land. [18] “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God. [19] After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ [20] Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD. [21] “Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns. [22] How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The LORD will create a new thing on earth- the woman will return to the man.”

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Hope in the God of all our tomorrows provides optimism for the future and gives strength for today” (Haddon Robinson). This is the God Jeremiah trusted and proclaimed.

The Book of Consolation has long been the title of Jeremiah 30 and 31. The God of the Exodus, the God whose people found “grace in the wilderness” (2, NRSV), will restore them again. His love is everlasting (3). The choice of words is potent: God’s love and loving kindness (or faithfulness) from ancient time are the essential covenantal attributes of God. In this great hymn of blessing and restoration, familiar psalm language abounds: shepherd, keeper, water, paths. Not only is God the God of the Law, the God of the Covenant–God is also the God of our songs.

The surprising shift at verse 15 reminded Jeremiah’s hearers of a harsh reality. He had forcefully proclaimed that hard times would come–and they had–and still more sorrow lay ahead (e.g. Jer. 5:1-11; 15:1-9), but God offers the destitute a hope and a future. Ephraim, one of Rachel’s children, stands for all her weeping descendants. Matthew discerns a fulfillment of this prophecy in the slaughter of babies at Bethlehem (Matt. 2:18), but here, God’s people confess their willfulness and disobedience. “Bring me back! Let me come back!” cries Ephraim (18, NRSV).

This is reinforced with important feminine imagery. Virgin Israel is often the metaphor of the people of God, pure as they should be, but now she has become the prodigal daughter, urged here to return. In returning, she must do what we all should do. She must turn around and face the other way. That is in fact the true meaning of the word “repentance.” This is not advice to the godless, to the unconverted. This is advice to people like us, like the prodigal virgin Israel, who have known God and who can still turn and face back the other way. She–and we–can still return home.

Apply

Jeremiah speaks of God’s favor (2), love (3), and fullness (4-6, 11-14). He also speaks of God’s comfort (15-17), and our need of repentance (19). Which of these do you identify with and why?

Closing prayer

Lord of love and faithfulness, I am Your errant child and I turn to face You now. Help me find the right path. Bring me back.

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