Jeremiah 23:1-6—In our Old Testament lesson for this coming Sunday Jeremiah will speak of restoration as exiles come together under a Davidic king. Under new shepherds, God will return His people from captivity, and so a Davidic king will reign. In this passage Jeremiah predicts that because of false shepherds (rulers) the people will go into captivity. This happened in Jeremiah’s lifetime (586 BC) when the Jews were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah goes on to promises that God will raise up true shepherds who will bring back the exiles. In fact, there is to come a Davidic king who will rule with justice and righteousness. Under this Davidic ruler Israel will be restored as a nation.
Because the ruling authorities did not attend to their people’s welfare, God is going to attend to them Himself. The Day of Judgment is coming – assassination, declination, and finally exile. Sin always brings dire consequences. Judgment comes upon all, even the ruling class.
Judah needs a new king, one who will gather the exiles re-establishing them as a nation, and rule wisely and justly. Where such a man could be found? God through Jeremiah says the king will be of the lineage of David, Israel’s greatest king. A good man comes out of good stock. One’s family does count. Christians see in Jesus the fulfillment of this promise. Jesus, the son of David, came to be the world’s good shepherd. 1
Prayer in time of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 2
Sources:
The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©WELS used with permission
1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
2. Collect for a time of affliction and distress, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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