By Such Stripes Are We Healed
by Jack Shaver
©The United Church of Canada, 1985
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 0-88622-196-X
7M/12/85/APL
Used with Permission
Wednesday
When things are hopeless
Jeremiah 32: 6-15
During Jeremiah's lifetime the kingdom of Judah suffered many ups and downs. The imperial power of Assyria rotted away by the later years of the sixth century BC and fierce Sythian marauders devastated the outposts of empire. Although Jeremiah warned
that the devastation would reach Judah because of its idolatry and corruption, Jersualem was spared. It became easy to believe that Jerusalem was God's chosen city and that it enjoyed divine protection. By all earthly signs Jeremiah must have been made to wonder whether he was himself one of the false prophets, for he had warned of Jerusalem's destruction.
But with the rise of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and the death of King Josiah in 609 BC, things went downhill for Judah. Due to Egyptian influence, the succession was interrupted and Jehoichim was placed on the throne. From then until the destruction of the city, Judah's allegiance vacillated between Babylon and Egypt. Although he owed his position to the intervention of Egypt, Jehoichim swore allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar when Babylon defeated Egypt at Carchemish. Three years later he broke his oath. It was his son Jehoikin who reaped the reward for this behaviour. The emperor ordered his satellite kingdoms to take care of this rebellion. Thus with the siege of the city and the death of the newking, the first exiles were deported to Babylon.
Zedekiah was placed on the throne as Nebuchadnezzar's vassal. Though he consulted Jeremiah for a word from the Lord he heeded the advice of the pro-Egyptian nobles and undertook his own revolt. This time Nebuchadnezzar gave the siege his personal attention and Jerusalem fell in 586 BC. Zedekiah's two sons were executed before his eyes and the king himself was blinded. The remaining important families were sent into exile. The city and temple on God's holy hill were destroyed.
Throughout all these years Jeremiah was in great personal danger. He did not see how centring the worship of God in Jerusalem, by itself, could reform the nation. He did not see anything sacred about the city or temple if it did not produce a people who heeded God's word. He saw the hand of God in the rising power of Nebuchadnezzar and opposed the alliances with Egypt. These were not popular positions.
Towards the end of this period the nation, as well as Jeremiah, was in great danger. Disaster followed disaster. The violence and spoil he had been so long predicting were upon the nation. In the light of all that was promised and hoped for about the people of Israel, these were disastrous times. This was the end of an age.
- What do we find God's person saying in the face of cataclysm'? Hear what he wrote to the first band of exiles for whom the end of the world had come:
- "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Jeremiah 29: 5-7
In the verses we selected for today's reflection we have another indication of what God's person does when the end of the world threatens. In the same breath in which he warns the king of his death and the destruction of the city, he makes arrangements to purchase of piece of land!
For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land."
Thy Kingdom Come- Almighty God, giver of life, ruler of history,
- The promise of your victorious reign lightens all our way.
The light from your love of the world has shone in our hearts; and nothing completely quenches it.
Hear the prayer of all of us that you hasten your kingdom.- Break tyranny's hold.
Feed the hungry
Liberate the captive.
Provide for the homeless.
Uplift the fallen.
Hush the clamour of war.
Wipe away all tears.
You have put a groaning in us, and in all creation, waiting for our adoption as children of God. Hear us as we join the cry of the world in travail:
Hasten your kingdom!
Our hope is in your promised reign.
Amen