Blending in Perfectly

Jeremiah 45 to 48

In Chapter 45 we get a small glimpse of Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful friend and scribe.  I love it that we read about how much anguish Baruch also felt. Ch 45:3 “Baruch you said ‘Woe to me.  The LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’” That he went through thick and thin with Jeremiah and shared in his anguish.  How great to have a friend who will walk like that with you!

It reminded me that these men, were just ordinary guys profoundly affected by their calling and their work.  When you work at something with your whole heart, it’s bound to get battered and break a little.  And the Word of God for them today is that when all the disaster falls on Judah, they will escape with their lives.  God never promises to spare them all the suffering and all the destruction. But God does hold them so very close.   He doesn’t stop bringing His Presence and continues the conversations.   God communing with His People.

Yah, about those people.

The remaining three chapters are prophesies against Moab, and Egypt and the Philistines.  And the words against them sound so very much like the judgment against Judah and Israel. Right down to the details about exile.  The sounds of wailing, and the images of men, women, and children streaming down the roads, uprooted and cast out.  About the thirst of swords being quenched by the blood of men.  Of people losing their lands.

It echoes.  We see that Israel and Judah get the exact same treatment as all the nations around them.  Finally, they blend in, and are just like everyone else.  Their cries of horror blending in with the clamor of all their suffering, anguished neighbours.  Wishing and crying for deliverance.  As if now would be a really good time to be selected and set apart, to be rescued and recognized as a covenant people.  

The NIV Note refers to Balaam’s original oracle in Numbers 24.  The reality coming true on this day and with these words that Moab would be crushed.   These endings that are so long in coming.

In Chapter 48:47 we read about the restoration of Moab, “in the days to come”.  Restoration that would be orchestrated by God.  A promise to rescue and restore a remnant also in Moab.  That even the rescue would have a broad application, that it was not just Judah that would return. 

Not special. Not unique. Not set apart. But part of the general landscape. Part of the group. There is a sadness in having their consecrated status snuffed out and erased from the narrative.  Their cries unconvincing, unconvicting.  The sound of a generic, suffering people. Like they still don’t really get it.  

But this is about our God who doesn’t change. 

Ch 46: 27 & 28

“Do not fear, O Jacob, my servant;

Do not be dismayed, O Israel

I will surely save you out of a distant place,

Your descendants from the land of their exile.

Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you,

I will not completely destroy you.

I will discipline you with justice;

I will not let you go entirely unpunished.“

God.  And Grace.

Because we really deserve it as much as everyone else.

And instead of giving us what we deserve He sent Jesus.