I haven't written in a while, and there is no excuse for that. Writing helps me focus my mind, keep the brain sharp, and help me reflect on what has been significant and a blessing in my life.
I've been struggling through Jeremiah lately in my quiet time. It's been going rather slowly. I enjoy the book, but it is certainly hard to pick it up daily and continually read about the coming destruction of Israel in response to their disobedience and idol worship. But as I've tried to read between the lines, it is evident that God is heartbroken by the betrayal of His people. This is what really started to get my attention:
What does it mean to be His people?
My introduction to this all began a few years ago when I picked up a little book over the holidays called "The Five Points of Calvinism," and it blew my mind and changed everything. When I thought I understood my faith, it began to weaken and crumble because I was loving the wrong God. It has taken me over three years to wrestle with the theology to arrive where I am now with it. And I'm still not even there. I don't think I ever will be. My pastor Kevin has agreed with me that it just simply is hard and uncomfortable doctrine, but that we should slowly learn to test those waters to understand God. I agree, but I think it takes a lifetime. But you know what? That's okay. I could write a long time about the subject, but I won't. One, because I'm not an expert. And secondly, because it is hard to understand!
What I have understood from it, is that God does in fact have people; and they were the Jews. Israel. Through Israel God's grace was supposed to be spread through every nation to prosper the Earth (Jer 4:1-2). It steps on the toes of the Coexist and Universalism movements, but truth is truth. It makes sense too, because at the beginning of the world, God gave himself to Israel and showed them how to live peacefully among themselves. He gave them the structure of government (eye for eye, etc.), the delegation of political structure (Moses and his leadership of his people), and He protected them in battle, and the nations trembled at the might of Israel. Because of Israel's disobedience and refusal to adopt His ways, God's mercy was unable to bless the nations of the world. Undeserving as they were, God chose them to fulfill His plan.
What is beautiful about Jeremiah, is God's plea with Israel. "If you will return, O Israel, return to me" Jer 4:1. Isn't that...romantic? And look at this!
"How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel." Jer 3:19-20
That, that is the language of love. God's heartbreak is evident. I'll probably write about this verse in relation to the covenant of marriage at a later date, as marriage, in its health and prime, is the evidence of what Divine Love should embody on the Earth.
God clearly upheld Israel proudly, as they were His sons, and his desire was to bless them. The way any father would his own son. After all, doesn't love spawn creation? It's complex, but God in His community with Himself, being love, had no choice but to create man because that's what love does. It shares, creates and expands.
Now examine the beauty of the Gospel as evidenced in Jer 3:12-13:
"'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt-you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,' " declares the Lord.
There is the path to our redemption: acknowledging our guilt. This was the invitation given to Israel, His people. If they acknowledge their guilt, God will be merciful. That truth is still the same today, but that redemption is found in His Son Christ Jesus at once, instead of continual festivals and sacrifices that are the lasting traditions of Judaism.
John 6 points us to examine that we did not choose Him, He chose us. Romans 9 states that He maintains the Sovereign Choice. I believe that if you know Him, He has chosen you. If you don't, I believe He is trying to draw you to Himself so that you may join His Kingdom, and be blessed on the Earth. With God's blessing and His mark on us, we are to spread the goods news of His love and mercy to all, and live in a way that gives Him glory. To do so, it is very very simple. Acknowledge your guilt, and ACCEPT what was freely given: Christ's blood on your behalf.
That is very good news.
