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Jeremiah 31.7 - 14

posted 6 Jan 2014, 02:47 by Ben@theorderoftheblacksheep.com
 Sing a song of joy for Jacob; shout for this greatest of nations.
        Shout it out with praise in your hearts:
    “O Eternal, save Your people—
        rescue the remnant of Israel.”
8     Watch now, as I bring them from the land to the north,
        as I gather My people from the ends of the earth.
    Look who is among those returning home: the blind and the lame,
        expectant mothers and even those giving birth—
    All of these together in the multitude on its way home.
9     Listen, as they come home weeping and repenting,
        praying for direction, pleading for mercy as I bring them back.
    In that day I will lead them beside quiet streams of water
        and take them upon a straight path where they will not stumble.
    Why? Because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is My firstborn son.

10 Listen to the word of the Eternal, you nations of the earth;
    take this story to distant shores and make it known:
The One who scattered Israel will now gather His people
    and watch over His flock as a shepherd.
11 For the Eternal has rescued Jacob
    and redeemed him from people who are too strong for him.
12 The redeemed will return home and shout for joy from the top of Mount Zion;
    they will shine with the sheer goodness of the Eternal—
The harvests of grain, wine, and oil; the healthy flocks and herds.
    Their lives will be like a lush, well-watered garden.
From that day on, they will never know sorrow.

13 Eternal One: Young women will dance for joy;
        young men will join them, old ones too.
    For I will turn their mourning into joy.
        I will comfort My people and replace their sorrow with gladness.
14     From the overflow of sacrifices,
        I will satisfy My priests;
    All My people will feast on My goodness.

The people now cling to this promise as they struggle with exile. Jeremiah returns the focus to the heartbreak of a people being deported to a foreign land.

This is what the Eternal declares!

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