A plea to return to The Lord
Sin causes us to stumble and sometimes fall. God says Israel has stumbled, yet restoration is possible. God will take away the burden of sin when you come to Him in sacrifice and allegiance. Salvation doesn’t come from government or ourselves, but only by the mercy of God. Apostasy—abandoned or renounced religion or political belief. Repentance turns away God’s anger. God supplies everything Israel needs to grow back bigger and stronger. Trees (cedar)of Lebanon—The roots of trees usually grow shallow and wide, but cedars’ roots grow deep and wide. Lebanon is one of the oldest wine production sites in the world.
Sin causes us to stumble and sometimes fall. God says Israel has stumbled, yet restoration is possible. God will take away the burden of sin when you come to Him in sacrifice and allegiance. Salvation doesn’t come from government or ourselves, but only by the mercy of God. Apostasy—abandoned or renounced religion or political belief. Repentance turns away God’s anger. God supplies everything Israel needs to grow back bigger and stronger. Trees (cedar)of Lebanon—The roots of trees usually grow shallow and wide, but cedars’ roots grow deep and wide. Lebanon is one of the oldest wine production sites in the world.
After all of the sin and judgement, finally...a resolution. As God seeks to redeem and restore Israel to Himself, we see a creation narrative unfold. God requires words first, and He writes the speech. And The Minute the words are spoken from a repentant heart, God SPRINGS into action with love and mercy. He makes Israel once again into a beautiful garden: a well-watered land, a blossoming flower, a deep-rooted tree, a tree with new growth, a beautiful olive tree, a fragrant mountain, abundant shade, a bountiful garden, and a blossoming vineyard, famous throughout the the land. And right in the center is God, the evergreen cypress, a tree not affected by seasons. God their provider. When we train through His Word in knowledge, discernment, understanding and wisdom, we can see that His ways are always right.
This chapter changes me by giving me a lens to look through the seasons of my own life. As I’ve watched a portion of Israel’s walk and stumble with God, I’ve seen the punishing heat of summer; the decaying changes of fall; the dark, bleak days of winter. So often I think of spring as being the first season. But in this, I see it as the last. A time when God steps into the disaster sin has made of my life and, as soon as I pledge allegiance to Him with my whole heart, He turns the decay into a flourishing garden. For my good and His glory. May my life make His Name famous. Amen.
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