Friday 11 December 2009

Background

In this chapter, God is about to redeem the people of Israel,bring them out of Babylon (they had been captives there since586BC) and allow them to return to the Promised Land (Israel). Butfirst we hear a lament for what could have been.

We can hear it in to two ways. Firstly, if only the Jews had keptGod's commands then the exile and all the other problems would nothave happened. Second, if God's nature had been different, if Godhad not been willing to defer or put aside anger for them aftertheir behaviour (after they so repeatedly failed to follow God'sway) then things would have been very different and much muchworse.

How much are we in the same boat today?

Suppose God were to audit us (individually, or the Church, orsociety in general) today. How would we stand on thesemeasures?

Would we dare to claim to have kept God's commands and followed thelead of the Lord our God? Do we wonder how we would fare if Godwere to treat us as we deserve?

I am reminded of the story of the rich young man in Mark 10:17-22(alsoin Matthew19 and Luke 18). He wasconfident telling Jesus that he had kept all the commandments, butwhen Jesus told him to give all his money to the poor he went awaysad. He felt able to keep the rules without taking their impactfully into his heart and life.

Christians believe that only Jesus has been perfect as a humanbeing, keeping all God's commands. We could therefore lapse intodespair and give up, but verse 17 is far more hopeful. Despite allthe failings of the people of Israel, God continues to be the onewho redeems, the one who teaches and the one who leads.

The season of Advent is traditionally a time of preparation - inparticular preparation for the return of Jesus. God is still thegod of redemption for us, so as part of that preparation, thisverse calls us to look at and to look for the teaching and leadingof God in our lives.

To Ponder

What might God be wanting to teach you at themoment? Where do you feel God wants to lead you?

In what areas of your life do you feel that, likethe people of Israel, you are relying on God deferring anger atyour behaviour? How does that make you feel?