Daybreak: Jeremiah 31:1-40

Jeremiah 31, 1 through 40.

Devotional focus verse.

Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations,

and declare it in the Isles of our off and say,

he that scattered Israel will gather him

and keep him as a shepherd, doth his flock.

Jeremiah 31, 10.

As a small child in Sunday school,

one of my favorite pictures in my Bible storybook

was the classic image of Jesus, the good shepherd.

Having grown up in the city,

I had little personal knowledge about sheep,

other than that old McDonald had some on his farm.

I had no idea that sheep are notorious for wandering,

are quite helpless,

or that they are not a particularly smart animal.

But I really love that picture of Jesus

with the sheep clustered around his side.

I was especially drawn by the tender expression

on the shepherd's face as he gazed down

at the little lamb in his arms.

Somehow, I sensed the love and security portrayed

in that picture.

In our focus first today, Jeremiah used the imagery

of a shepherd to portray God's ultimate

re-gathering of his people, the Israelites.

The simple phrase as a shepherd doth his flock

would have brought instant understanding

to those who heard the prophet's words

for caring for sheep was a common occupation

in their society.

Shepherds of that time were very familiar with their sheep,

even calling each one by name.

They knew which ones would wander

and which ones needed special care.

Day and night, they would watch over their flocks,

even risking their own lives to protect them.

Every day, they would lead their sheep

to sources of food and water.

And every night, they would gather them

into the safety of the sheepfold.

Though God would scatter his rebellious children

because of the rejection of him,

in this passage, the prophet declared to the people

of the world that God would not make a full end

of his chosen ones, but would someday bring them back

to their land.

This was a promise of a literal return

of both Israel and Judah to the land God had promised

to their ancestors.

The imagery of a shepherd was expressive

of the compassion God still had for his wavered people,

offering a glimmer of hope in the midst

of the terrible desolation that would soon

be coming upon them.

God's compassion, as manifested to Israel

in this passage, is also available to all today

who are willing to become a part of his spiritual flock

and participate in the new covenant described

in this chapter.

The tender care of our good shepherd

is our source of security in a troubled world.

How grateful we should be that we can look to him

to care for us, protect us, and provide for our needs.

Background information.

In this chapter, the prophet continued with the theme

of the restoration of Israel and God's establishment

of a new covenant with his people.

God's compassion was turned toward Israel as a nation,

and he declared his intention of future blessing

to the Jews in a series of promises, culminating

in the pronouncement that the nation would one day return

from exile and captivity.

The passage is one of the most sweeping prophecies

in scope in the Old Testament, as it relates not only

to the Jews' return from captivity,

but also to their ultimate spiritual redemption

through the coming Messiah.

The prophecy encapsulates specific historical landmarks

of Jewish history from the time the prophecy was delivered

through today and into the future.

God told the people that they would return

into the land and plant again.

He brought this to pass when Persia conquered Babylon

and King Cyrus of all the rebuilding of Jerusalem

and the return of the captives.

Yet the second stage of the return mentioned

in verse 10 of the text goes far beyond the initial return

to Israel from Assyria or Persia,

or even the formation of the Jewish nation in 1948.

It includes the Jewish people's return

to Israel beyond our day.

Buried within the prophecy is a reference

to the birth of Christ.

On the phrase, Rachel weeping for her children,

verse 15, alluded to the slaughter of innocent children

in Bethlehem by the hand of King Herod

when he heard of the birth of Jesus.

Verses 16 and 17 indicate a twofold application

of this prophecy as they point to the national restoration

which will occur in the end times.

Verses 31 through 34 look ahead to a new and better covenant

whereby God's laws more reside in the hearts of his people

so no teacher will be required to shaperone obedience.

In verses 35 through 40, God guaranteed

the perpetual existence of his people

basing this promise upon the certainty

that he continuously sustains his creation.

God pronounced that the whole end would again be holy

and that Jerusalem would be rebuilt

and be his permanently.

Conclusion.

Are you part of God's flock?

If so, you can depend upon the compassion

and tender care of your good shepherd.