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.[2]
[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©WELS used with permission
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for a time of affliction and distress, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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