Do Not Be Afraid

Read Jeremiah 46 – 47:7
 
Jeremiah 46:27-28 “But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them. 28 Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,” says the LORD. “I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”
 
THESE two verses come amid Jeremiah’s prophecies to Egypt and Philistia (the Philistines) that God will conquer these two nations through Babylon’s power. This is ongoing evidence that God inflicts capital punishment on people who continually worship other gods. The Jews needed to know this. Some had seen Babylon’s threat against Judah and moved to Egypt and Philistia for protection. Fearfully they wondered, “Who will save us from Babylon?”
   But once again under the threat of a foreign nation’s invasion, God twice spoke his greater assurance: “But do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant.”
   How many times does Scripture record God saying through the Father and Son, “Fear not.” This wonderful assurance repeatedly comes from heaven to comfort, strengthen and empower God’s own to a steadfast faith. “Do not be afraid.” is the Father’s arms around his prodigal child Israel. “Fear not.” is Jesus’ commands to his disciples to understand the power of God is present with them.
   On the other hand, the term “my servant” may be offensive to some. Isn’t a servant really a slave? Yes, to be a servant can mean to be a slave. But this is much different than we understand “slave” today. In the Old Testament culture, a slave had a limited time of six years of service. A slave had rights and could even attain positions of authority. We have seen this in Joseph’s life. Sold as a slave to Egypt, Joseph became a leader in Potiphar’s household and then in the prison. He then became God’s servant preparing Egypt to be Israel’s womb. Jesus, too, spoke of being a servant to mankind. He even committed to the cross, serving the Father’s will. A servant is also defined as one who worships God. “Servant” can also refer to one who is generous and volunteers his work to help a master. Kingdom servanthood is a humble, committed partnership for the good of all. What joy to serve God!
   Still, God is clear. Israel would not escape the judgment prophecies spoken through the previous centuries. God’s justice demands he punishes Israel. They have sinned without repentance, and they must pay a price for the sin. This, too, is the inescapable truth for all mankind.
   Then God spoke another eternal truth for his own. He had a special redemptive plan for Israel then. There is no world power that can withstand God’s hand. Only under God’s benevolent salvation does Israel have a future. God’s people will return at the right time under God’s promise to worship – to serve – him.
   It is good to trust God, to know he is just, to believe his promises of restoration and to be his servant. Let’s pray that is our hearts’ desire.