Justice and the Prophets
Called to God's Work of Justice
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Peace and Justice Reign
Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Message
31-32 “That’s right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won’t be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master.” God’s Decree.
33-34 “This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart, and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree.
For Reflection
Up to this point, God treated his people corporately. God saved his people from physical domination, and with threats and promises, God exercised God's will. Now in the post-exile period, God renews God's covenant, but unlike in the past, this time, God will entreat each individual to obey his will and know God. The God in the temple of sacrifices will become God in the synagogue. The sacrificial focus of worship will become the study of Scripture and prayer. All people will become knowledgeable. Thus the responsibility for righteousness is set squarely upon the individual. It is this law that is written not only in stone but also in the hearts of each person. This act will become the foundational element of Jesus' ministry.
Pray
Pray prayers of praise for the God who writes God's will on our souls. Pray and look for the word of God that lies beyond the word of the Scriptures. In the beginning, was the word, see it, hear it, believe it, and act on it.
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