Even after the fall, God still wants to walk together with us in a relationship where we have nothing hidden and nothing to hide. He wants us to walk together with Him (love God) and walk together with others (love our Neighbor) just like Adam and Eve in the Garden. Parents were supposed to teach their children how to do this and elders would help the younger parents. These elders were the shepherds of God's "flock."
"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1-2 NIV)
When God's people turn away from Him, though, it is the same as rebellion. Individuals in rebellion will get what they deserve. Elders, Prophets, and Teachers in rebellion, though, will receive much more for the damage they have done. They purposefully led their children, students, and all God's people astray.
"I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:3-4 NIV)
God promised, however, to restore people to good shepherds who will protect them and lead them well. These shepherds will lead them to "the Garden" where they will find peace again. It is in this environment that they will grow in numbers and draw near to God.
"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 23:5-6 NIV)
This whole process will begin with God's chosen one - a Righteous Savior. He will be a King who reigns wisely and does what is right. He will be an ancestor of David.
"So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land." (Jeremiah 23:7-8 NIV)
Not only do we know now that he would be someone from the lineage of David. We also know that he will appear when Israel is released from captivity and returned home to Jerusalem and Judea. We know more specifics about his heritage and about the timing. All these things match up with Jesus.
What about you? Do you have a "Garden Walk" with God? Do you help your family experience that walk as well? How about others? Are you a good shepherd? Do you turn to good shepherd(s) for wisdom?
What about you? Do you have a "Garden Walk" with God? Do you help your family experience that walk as well? How about others? Are you a good shepherd? Do you turn to good shepherd(s) for wisdom?
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