A Full Understanding

Jeremiah 31:15-20

President George W. Bush, had this to say about sins of his youth: “young and irresponsible” when he was “young and irresponsible.”  Wow, that was I, it matters not what the rules of my authorities were, I seemed to set my goal to break them without being caught.  I was never in open rebellion; it was deceptive, rebellion, I wanted to experience the no no’s, without my parent's knowledge.

How did that workout, not all that well, many bought lessons, many scars and bad memories of my rebellious heart?  That might sum up the people of Israel returning home, with great joy, and a deep sadness for the sins of rebelling against the Lord.  Jeremiah depicts Rachel as the mother of or the embodiment of all Israel mothers.  She was the wife of Jacob and is referred to as the mother of all ten northern tribes of Israel.  Herod killed all the male children who were two years and under this was the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophesy found in Matthew 2:17-18.  The children sent to other nations, and God is proclaiming they will return, so quit weeping.  The example is they will come back as Jacob and Rachel did after serving her dad, his Uncle Laban, and all of their children with them.

And as the people went out of captivity they fully understood the shame they had brought on the name of God, and like me, and I hope like you, they repented of being a rebel.  I must remind myself often that the Christ life is on going, I often break fellowship with the Father who gave His only Son for a rascal like me.  But it is fellowship, not our relationship, I’m the King's child, He is my Father, and His grace is greater than my sins.  I often show up like the prodigal son, looking for help, to find my Father running to restore our fellowship!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice