Today we will enter into a section called 'YHWH's Fresh Turn toward Israel.
....the drastic rejection of Israel by YHWH is a decisive and irreversible reality in Israel's self-discernment. What Israel has been given by YHWH is now matched by what Israel has suffered at the hands of YHWH.
Our theme now, however, is YHWH's reach toward Israel beyond the scattering. It is an equally certain theological datum in Israel's self-understanding that at the depth of the exile, at the bottom of YHWH's rage toward and rejection of Israel, restoring Israel to full and valued partnership. The turn in YHWH's inclination toward Israel is an extraordinary claim in Israel's faith. In this turn Israel ponders the central mystery of its own existence, and its core wonderment and amazement about YHWH.
Once again the constancy of God's action with Israel is brought forth. Yes, this is the God who sends into exile - but this is the God who is there in their exile. And then out of nothing more than a love for this people, God rescues those who have been put out. In the lives of the people in exile, it never feels as though things will change. And yet, in the story telling of the people, time passes and God reestablishes his beloved.
Connection: Reminds me of good parenting - always present - always available - in and through the tough love and right back into the warm welcome.
O God, who turns to us in all times, we do not come home easily. Your love is the power that turns us around and makes us realize that you know the places in which we live - even as they are filled with terror and loneliness and despair. We bless you. Amen.
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