'YHWH's Fresh Turn toward Israel" is now viewed through the words of the prophets.
The three great exilic prophets make an effort to speak about the this dramatic reversal, on which everything for Israel's future depends. Jeremiah employs the image of terminal illness as a way to speak about terminal judgment: "For this says the Lord; your hurt is incurable, your would is grievous. There is no one to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you." (Jer. 30:12-13) Then - YHWH reverses course: "Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured, and all your foes, everyone of them, shall go into captivity; those who plunder you shall be plundered...."
In Ezekiel, YHWH speaks of harsh judgement under the image of sexual infidelity, which must be punished..... But then Ezekiel moves abruptly and without explanation or justification to "yet" - yet I will remember my covenant with you...."
In Isaiah of the exile, YHWH continues the metaphor of affronted marital love....the rejection is promptly countered by remembrance.
Up until it happen - up until the word of God's turning come - the people are forsaken and that is what the future looks to be. And then, there is God's surprising word and action that reinforces the depths of God's love for the people. Again this week I heard someone say that God does not change Gods' mind. It had to do with how some people read the Scripture in regard to homosexuality. This person said that God does not change God's mind. And yet, Brueggemann shows here several places where God does indeed turn around and change what has been said and done. Love - this unconditional covenantal love - was the first word and will be the last word. Oh, there may be all kinds of hell between the first and the last word, but the promise never leaves. Reality may show that we are as good as dead - and we may just be that - but, God prevails in God's love for God's people. That is the foundation of our hope in the middle of all that goes wrong and is broken.
Connection: It is so hard to hear this voice of our God reminding us of the love that is available even as we are facing the consequences of lives that have steered clear of the way of God. Wow.
O God, who turns to us in all times, you are like a breath of fresh air when our lives are stalled and dried up. Thanks to you. Amen.
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