Jehovah-Rohi

 Jeremiah 50:17-20

 “Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First, the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones. Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and his desire shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead. In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.”

The closer the days come for my vapor life on earth to come sliding into home plate for my final score in advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ, it becomes apparent how much grace He has extended to me.  The Lord, our Shepherd, is called Jehovah-Rohi, “Who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.”  

Often, I’m fearful I proclaim the wrath of our Lord without displaying the kindness and grace of our God and Father.  As you read the verses in Jeremiah 50:17-20, you will see a beautiful picture of our Father full of compassion and grace.  And yes, sin always comes with a price that requires payment, and Israel and Judah often lived independent lives from their God, and chased after gods that caused them to live arrogant and prideful lives going to temple as a ritual but not to seek God or ask forgiveness.

God used both the King of Assyria in the eighth century B.C. and the King of Babylon in the sixth century B.C. to bring judgment on His chosen people for living independently from Him.  Both of these nations were later put into judgment for their sins and right in the middle of telling us about the judgment coming on Babylon we have this message of God declaring His promise to restore Israel.

Do you recall in Luke’s gospel, chapter 7, verses 46-48, these words; “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume.  Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”  Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  That is what Jeremiah had proclaimed Israel’s and Judah’s past sins forgiven, even if one searches for them, in God’s sight they are as if they never were.

God has done the same for your sins and mine at the Cross of Jesus the only Son of God took the full wrath of a Holy God for our sins which are paid for in full! 

But God, the Father of Jesus has one requirement it is found in Romans 10:9-10, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.  It comes down to this action, bowing your knee to a pure and Holy God who loves you and knows every act and every thought and entering into an agreement that is called confessing your need for forgiveness and his grace.  It reminds me of James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

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