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| image from cgg.org I claim fair use |
A Jewish fellow by the
name of Baruch was the scribe for prophet Jeremiah.
Baruch also wrote a book,
though it did not make the cut for our Old Testament, still some of the
readings are part of the schedule of Scriptural readings through the year.
This is one reading
suggested for preaching…
Baruch 5:1-9
5:1 Take off the garment of your sorrow and
affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
5:2 Put on the robe of the righteousness that
comes from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
5:3 for God will show your splendor everywhere
under heaven.
5:4 For God will give you evermore the name,
"Righteous Peace, Godly Glory."
5:5 Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;
look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the
word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them.
5:6 For they went out from you on foot, led
away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory,
as on a royal throne.
5:7 For God has ordered that every high
mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to
make level ground, so that Israel may walk safely in the glory of God.
5:8 The woods and every fragrant tree have
shaded Israel at God's command.
5:9 For God will lead Israel with joy, in the
light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.
Please note how verse 7 here very closely resembles verse 5 of chapter
three of Luke…
3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be
made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made
smooth;
And also chapter 40, verse 4 of Isaiah…
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made
low;
the rough ground shall become
level,
the rugged places a plain.
Be very assured that whatever obstacles may seem
to be in the way, God is working on removing those obstacles and leveling our
path toward him.
This idea of leveling the path seemed important
enough for God to inspire Isaiah, Baruch, and Luke…perhaps it is an important
enough of an idea that we should cast our faith upon it!
Rejoice this day for God will show your splendor everywhere
under heaven.
Peace, Mike
