Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Monday after the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Jeremiah 3:6—4:2 (NKJV)

3:6 The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. 10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD.

11 Then the LORD said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. 12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not remain angry forever. 13 Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God, and have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the LORD.

14 “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. 16 Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the LORD, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore. 17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. 18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.

19 “But I said: ‘How can I put you among the children and give you a pleasant land, a beautiful heritage of the hosts of nations?'” And I said: ‘You shall call Me, “My Father,” and not turn away from Me.’ 20 Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel,” says the LORD.

21 A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; They have forgotten the LORD their God. 22 “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” “Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God. 23 Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the LORD our God Is the salvation of Israel. 24 For shame has devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth—their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. 25 We lie down in our shame, and our reproach covers us. For we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.”

4:1 “If you will return, O Israel,” says the LORD, “Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, then you shall not be moved. 2 And you shall swear, ‘The LORD lives,’ In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory.”

Devotion

The text for today is a wonderful testimony to the power of the Lord’s forgiveness and great mercy, found in the confession of sins that leads to absolution. The bulk of our devotion is a listing of some of the most vile behavior imaginable, as well as a level of rebellion and rejection of God and His grace that can only be described as severe and aggressively belligerent. It is a description of a time when God’s people seem to be actively daring God to react regarding their faithless contempt for Him and His word. Throughout all of this the Lord mercifully continues to call His chosen back to Him, and to faithfulness regarding His statutes and promises.

This is not so different from our age when many of us who claim the title of Christian speak and act more like children of the world, indulging in every worldly distraction possible. In spite of our active rebellion and callousness toward God and His Word, He continues to call us to return to Him and His Means of Grace. His Word and Sacraments call us to return to His unmerited grace for the forgiveness of our sins and redemption of our souls. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 1:18).

If you will only return to your Lord in repentance and confess your sinfulness, He who calls you will Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He Who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

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