33:14 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill
the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch
to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and
righteousness in the land.
33:16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in
safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD
is our righteousness."
Comments:
In the Hebrew scriptures, righteousness is not so much a moral
virtue as the fulfillment of the responsibilities of a relationship
among people or with God. God acts righteously in speaking against
Israel's faithlessness and in working salvation for them. In today's
reading, Jerusalem's future name—"The LORD is our
righteousness"—serves as a sign that the Lord is even now working
salvation for the people.
Much of the book of Jeremiah contains hard words of judgment spoken
against Judah, Israel's southern kingdom. The Babylonians have just
leveled Jerusalem, and those in Judah who survived the attack must
have believed that God had abandoned them. Yet, in these verses,
Jeremiah speaks of God's continuing promise to the people, bringing
a message of hope into otherwise gloomy tidings. God will keep the
covenant with the people, despite their betrayal. Without the
redemptive promise these verses bring, the rest of the book's
chapters would appear unrelentingly harsh.
Jeremiah 33:14-16 reminds listeners of the new and "righteous
branch." This righteousness, however, is not to be embodied in one
individual; rather, it is a righteousness given to the community.
Jeremiah tells those who are waiting for redemption that their hope
resides in being God's people, and in living lives of justice and
faithfulness. This promise is with us still.
For over 20 years, Jeremiah insisted that the people of Judah remain
faithful to God, though he was arrested as a traitor and vehemently
contradicted by false prophets. But Jeremiah's waiting was never
passive. Hope, and a stubborn faith in God's promises, spurred
Jeremiah to continue to speak, confident that God's future would
arrive.
I'm leaning toward "Promise" as a theme...the power of promise.
Old testement Prophecy, promise from God to House of Isreal and
House of Judah. 1. What is a Promise? Give your word. Sacred word.
vow. How serious do we take our promises? God takes His serious. He
takes our promises serious too! 2. righteous branch of David. Even
though David was man after God's own heart. He wasn't perfect. David
messed up bigtime. It takes a truly righteous branch to execute
justice and righteousness for God.
When we look at this we see that The prophet is prophecing Hope for
the furture. To know all will be made right by God. A Blessed
Assurance.
However, Christ was born and did just that by dying on the cross.
But, the people just couldn't see it. Wanted a white Knight to
overthrow Rome. then and there.
Yes, Christ could have done it then. But, wasn't timing of God! When
the timeing is right. A fullness and Joy comes like you can't
explain. You may get good things out of rushing in. But, the
fullness of God isnt there. Like that song, fools rush in....
When we look at this third verse, some scholars say we are living in
the millenium or tribulation now. (Ammennial and preterist) They
Look at 70 AD as key when things fell. Times of Gentiles.... Now,
some of our denominations don't really get into dispensationalism.
Well, we better! We as pastors better wake up and study as to not
mislead the people. Those of us in the bible belt or farming , rural
congregations- these people our flocks, no matter if we like to
admit it or not. Most are reading Tim Lehaye and the Left Behind
Series, or Watching TBN's Omega Codes. Some of people in mainline
deminations even watch John Haggee... or Jack Van Impe. We as
carriers of God Word, better wake up and read or at least be aware
of waht out people reading, watching...so God can tell us what to
tell them...We live in confusing times and we need to know just what
we believe about this!
I don't know about you. But, the UMC communion ritual that we use
Does say: We Believe CHRIST WAS BORN, CHRIST WAS RISEN, CHRIST IS
COMING AGAIN.
3. Judah will be saved and Live in safety. We need to know that
fact. Christ came as the babe in a manger. ANd prophetic words say
He will come again. This is something that all of us need to know.
Us, as pastors, to tell the people, to give them hope.
So, as you prepare Him room this Christmas/Advent Look forward to
the DEFINITE HOPE of His Second Coming!!! It's a given!
Clerically Blonde in west Ohio
Jerusalem was not living in safety before the Messiah came, after
the Messiah came, after the Messiah died and rose again, and it is
still not living in safety. When will "those days" ever get here?
"How long?" cried the prophets, and we echo the cry. When will the
promise be fulfilled? What about all the other promises and
prophecies?
When? where? How? These are questions that have been asked for
thousands of years. We have prophecies and promises of a Second
Coming. We don't know any more than the Jews did what we are looking
for. They were looking for David reincarnated - or something close,
anyway - riding in on a royal chariot. Or maybe Judas Maccabaeus,
Jr. Will we be looking for a Bible-times person in a long robe,
sandals and a brown beard? We may be surprised. It could be that
Jesus appears in ways we just won't understand or accept. Will we be
any more open to the Second Coming than the Jews were to the first
one? Not if it puts our preconceived notions to the test. If Jesus's
appearance or actions are in any way contrary to what we've decided
is the truth, he runs the risk of being rejected all over again by
the very people who have been looking for him so intently. He will
be called a false prophet by some who won't see beyond their own
version of truth.
If we're going to be looking for Jesus, let's look for him in
surprising places, ready to hear him reveal some new and surprising
truths. The Temple authorities' unwillingness to find God in this
Galilean carpenter who broke the Sabbath Law caused them to miss out
on the promise God had so wonderfully fulfilled. Hopefully we've
learned from their miscalculations.
We can only continue to trust, to hope, to put the future into the
hands of God. Faith is the hope in things not yet seen. All things
are in God's time, but the promise is made new each day. God will
again move among his people and bring about his continually new and
mighty acts of redemption.
Advent = Love, Hope, Joy, Peace. Promises made and fulfilled. Grace
upon grace bestowed. Trusting that God is still working his purpose
out.
KyHoosierCat
Does anybody have readings for the Advent candles for this year that
goes along with the readings? I could sure use some ideas!
Susan in Wa.
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown that marks our days
of preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the first candle on
this wreath, rouse us from sleep, that we may be ready to greet our
Lord when he comes with all the saints and angels. Enlighten us with
you grace, and prepare our hearts to welcome him with joy. Grant
this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day
draws near. Amen
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
We praise you, O God, for this circle of light that marks our days
of preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the candles on this
wreath, kindle within us the fire of your Spirit, that we may be
light shining in the darkness. Enlighten us with your grace, that we
may welcome others as you have welcomed us. Grant this through
Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
Amen
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
We praise you, O God, for this victory wreath that marks our days of
preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the candles on this
wreath, strengthen our hearts as we await the Lord's coming in
glory. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may serve our neighbors
in need. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain
and whose day draws near. Amen
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
We praise you, O God, for this wheel of time that marks our days of
preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the candles on this
wreath, open our eyes to see your presence in the lowly ones of this
earth. Enlighten us with you grace, that we may sing of your advent
among us in the Word made flesh. Grant this through Christ our Lord,
whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. Amen
Permission is granted for congregations to reproduce the Seasonal
Rites, provided copies are for local use only and the following
copyright notice appears: From Sundays & Seasons, copyright c 2003
Augsburg Fortress.
To whoever submitted the Advent Readings, thank you. I appreciate
it.
Susan in Wa.
Patient waiting is my theme this week. Jeremiah had no idea how long
it would be before his prophecy was fulfilled. I am looking for
images realted to waiting. I remember the country song that is
entitled, "When My Love Returns from the Ladies' Room, Will I Be too
Old to Care?" Any ideas/images on waiting? -Dale in Chattanooga
How about the 9 months of waiting before a child is born?
"There's just something about that name." I think that another
focus, along with anticipation, could be in the name (33:16b). There
is great power in names; significant changes result in new names.
To Susan in WA - 2 of Ruth Duck's books - Flames of the Spirit, and
Touch Holiness, have wonderful Advent prayers/candle-lighting
rituals in them. They give several options.
L in M
For Advent readings; go to gbod.org. this is the general board of
discipleship of the UMC, and has links to advent resources. Here is
this week's reading from that website:
Advent Wreath Meditations for Home and Church: First Sunday of
Advent, November 30, 2003
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the
earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and
the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is
coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
"Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power
and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up
and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
(Luke 21:25-28, NRSV) The Wise Men and shepherds saw signs that
foretold Jesus' coming 2000 years ago. Today we don't look for a
single brilliant star to follow or for angels singing in the
heavens. We look for other signs that Jesus is with us, signs that:
. . . we are feeding the hungry, healing the sick, . . . clothing
the naked, caring for the poor, . . . working for justice and
righteousness at home and in our world. Mine eyes have seen the
glory of the coming of the Lord! And so we watch, and wait, and stay
alert, waiting again for the coming of Jesus. And we light a single
candle in preparation for that glorious day. [Light the first candle
on the Advent wreath.] ALL: COME, LORD JESUS. AMEN. "Blessed Be the
God of Israel," 209, The United Methodist Hymnal (stanza 1 or
stanzas 1 & 3 Or any combination of verses of "Star-Child," 2095,
The Faith We Sing Scripture quotations are from the New Revised
Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of
Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Used by
permission. Advent Wreath Meditations Copyright © 2003 by The United
Methodist General Board of Discipleship, PO Box 340003, Nashville TN
37203. Telephone: 877-899-2780, ext. 7073. E-mail: music@gbod.org.
Worship website: http://www.umcworship.org.
Permission is granted to download, adapt, edit, copy, and use in
local church or home worship with the inclusion of this entire
copyright citation on each copy.
Jeff in NY
This is an interesting text and an interesting beginning to the
season of Advent. Is anyone doing anything with World AIDS Day,
which is on December 1st? I am also thinking of David Koresh and the
Branch Davidians. This is the text he used to name his cult, isn't
it? Seems to me that there is something to be said about hope (the
theme for the first Sunday in Advent) in the midst of great
adversity and/or horror this week. How do we find hope amidst the
ravages of AIDS? How do we find hope amid the David Koresh's of the
world? How do THEY find hope? One also has to be careful in preachng
these Old Testament prophecies at Advent, so as not to devalue our
Jewish brothers and sisters. Historically, these texts have often
been used to supercede Judaism (i.e. the Messiah came and answered
these prophecies, so Judaism is now irrelevant). I am not sure that
these texts (Isaiah as well) are referring directly to Jesus. Aye,
these two verses from Jeremiah (and all the tradition that surrounds
them) provoke a lot of thought! Happy preaching this week to all of
you.
Blessings and peace, DHG
I've got it written - hope this helps somebody.
Hasidic rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Poland – one of the most
famous personalities of the 3rd generation of Hasidim — Sent
invitations saying his son’s wedding would take place in Jerusalem
on certain date/time, but “if God forbid the Messiah has not yet
arrived, the wedding will still be held on the same date in
Berditchev.”
Clearly this was a man who believed in the coming of the Messiah. Do
we believe in it as he did, or is it just a "teaching of the church"
to us?
The coming of Christ is the coming of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1) RIGHTEOUSNESS DEMONSTRATED - God keeps His promises. This was a
people who had given up on the promises of God (see Jer. 33:10,
23-24). They felt God had reneged on His promises. But through the
prophet, God declares that He remembers His promises always and that
He has set a day (He says it three times in these three verses) for
their total fulfillment.
Two rabbis saw a fox running on the hill of Zion. Rabbi Joshua wept.
Rabbi Eliezer laughed. Rabbi Joshua asked, "Wherefore dost thou
laugh?" Rabbi Eliezer replied, "Nay, wherefore dost thou weep?" "I
weep," replied Rabbi Joshua, "because I see what is written in the
Lamentations fulfilled: `Because of the Mount Zion, which is
desolate, the foxes walk upon it.'" (Lam. 5:18) "And therefore,"
replied Rabbi Eliezer, "do I laugh, for when I see with mine own
eyes that God hath fulfilled His threatenings to the very letter, I
have thereby a pledge that not one of His promises shall fail; for
He is ever more ready to show mercy than judgment."
2) RIGHTEOUSNESS DEMANDED - God does not demand righteousness from
the sidelines, but came into the life we live, a child, the Branch
of David, to "do what is just and right in the land." (v. 15, NIV)
Christ, by His sinless life and exemplary teachings, showed the
righteousness He now calls us to.
William Jennings Bryan — ”The fact of Christ cannot be denied.
Christ lived; that is admitted. He taught; we have His words. He
died upon the Cross, that we know. We can trace His blood by its
cleansing power as it flows through the centuries. Judging by His
life, His teachings, and His death, and the impression they have
made upon the human race, we conclude that He was Divine, and that
He has justified the titles bestowed upon Him. No other explanation
can account for Him.”
God demands such righteousness of us. How can we accomplish it?
3) RIGHTEOUSNESS DISTRIBUTED - God places His righteousness in us.
He is "The LORD our righteousness." No righteousness of our own
comes to God, but we are clothed with Christ. (read hymn "The Solid
Rock")
JG in WI
A branch shoots forth, a fig tree begins to bud, a dark sanctuary
hangs with greenery; promises in the cold and dark, of light and
warmth ahead. tom in TN(USA)
thank you to whoever gave the 4 week Advent wreath readings from
Augsburg. I hadn't seen them before. I am using the idea "Signs of
the Times" encouraging people to look at what signs they are
following...the signs to the sales, or the signs to the manger. In
the season of "Already but Not Yet" we celebrate the inauguration of
Jesus' Kingdom, but await with groaning, its fulfillment. Shalom.
Presby on the Peninsula (WA)
