Weeping and Consolation

Thus says the LORD:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,

and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;

proclaim, give praise, and say,

"Save, O LORD, your people,

the remnant of Israel."

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,

and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame, those with child and

those in labor, together;

a great company, they shall return here.

With weeping they shall come,

and with consolations I will lead them back,

I will let them walk by brooks of water,

in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;

for I have become a father to Israel,

and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Jeremiah 31:7-9a

I’ve always loved this portion of Jeremiah. There are several chapters clustered here that offer promises of hope, love, and courage. It’s from right here that the beloved promise, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity” comes. [29:11]

This particular passage is interesting because the two verses seem to stand in contrast: “Sing and shout,” while begging, “Save your people!” In other words, the praise comes before the deliverance, before even the promise of deliverance in the next few verses.

This Sunday will be the birthday of my late husband and would have been our anniversary as well, so for me, the verse that means the most right now is “With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back.” I am deeply grateful for the consolations of my Abba, including the consolations he offers through the arms and words of human friends. I so long for a straight path in which I won’t stumble.

How about you? Which part of this chapter most appeals?  In what ways are you most grateful for God’s deliverance, leading, and consolation?