Jeremiah 31:7--14 Ephesians 1:3--6, 15--19 Mt 2:13--15, 19--23
Jeremiah reveals the glorious side of judgement today: deliverance. Sin causes suffering and death by cutting us off from God, salvation is the restoration of His people in new life. We will sing with joy and praise our God, for YHWH saves His people and preserves a remnant!
Remnant (Hebrew: She-a-rith) is a recurring pattern in the Bible. It begins in Genesis 45:7, where Joseph explains to his brothers how God redeemed their evil act. ''God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant," he says, "and keep alive for you many survivors." This is the first of many times that God preserves a remnant to save His people!
In Jeremiah today, we hear that the remnant includes the poor and weak: “gather and bring the blind, the lame, the mothers with young babies, even pregnant women in labor.” Those who weep will be consoled, for YHWH is a Father to Israel, and they are His firstborn. We are told to listen; God is a shepherd who will gather and keep His flock. God ransoms and delivers His family. The Lord promises food and drink, joy and dancing. We will live in a garden paradise.
The reading today ends in joy, but I want to look at the next verse which is also an omission from today’s Gospel reading. Jeremiah 31:15 says, “a voice heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children.” Then a word of hope in v16, “keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears for there is reward for your work and they shall come back... your children shall come back to their own country.”
Matthew 2:16-18 is missing from our Gospel reading today, which focuses on Jesus’ escape to Egypt, rather than Herod killing the babies and Rachel weeping. Yet I hope you see that Jesus is the remnant. He survives when a new Joseph takes Him into Egypt. By preserving, God can save us. The Herodian pattern of evil is continually repeated, but always God preserves a remnant. The Heavenly Father redeems human evil and saves His people.
So, fear not. Whatever threat might worry you, do not be afraid. Our Father is faithful. At stories end, we will all dance and sing. Each of us be filled with joy and praise God. So let's start today!
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