Jeremiah 23: 1-6
“Woe to the shepards who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepards who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to the pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepards over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
“The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.
A Thought
Jeremiah, a young priest, was devoted to the Jewish people and wholly committed to God. God gave Jeremiah his words of warning and judgement for his people to repent. When they refused to repent, they were taken captive by the Babylonians and a small remnant was scattered throughout the land. Now God gives Jeremiah his message of punishment to those who had done evil to his people. At the same time the Lord promises the poor remnant that he will send to the house of David a righteous Branch, a King who will wisely reign and do what is right in the land. This last prophecy will not be fully fulfilled until Christ comes in the last Day and defeats all evil and sets up his kingdom in the new earth.
Our Prayer
Father thank you that your promise of reconciliation to you is made possible to all people through your Son, Jesus the Christ. We repent of the evil we have done and desire to be your witness of love and grace for all. Awaken us, we ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
