September 9, 2001
Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against him, I still remember him.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 31:20
Several amazing things about the heart of God as I read through verses 15-26 of this chapter. Rachel symbolizes the mother figure of all the tribes of Israel, it is her work or role to bear and raise up children and now she weeps because their death deprives her of the joy that should be hers in watching them mature and become what they were always intended to be. Again it helps me see the heart of God for his people.. his love is intense and he's heartbroken because of what they must endure. This heart is displayed clearly in the verse above.. Israel is his 'darling child' (ASV).. this reminds me of the father waiting for his son to return, the prodigal son. Despite the hurts that God endures at the hands of his people he never responds by shutting them out or closing off his heart. God says that for as many times as he has had to speak concerning their punishment that in his heart he aches and years for them to be in a relationship with him the way he always intended. This helps me because it is my natural inclination to see God as distant, disapproving or disappointed in me... especially in times when I'm hurting or am going through difficult circumstances that I don't fully understand... but God isn't like that, he is never distant.. he is always fully present with his heart out there for me to see and understand!!