Honestly, there is so much in the Bible (the Old Testament being the dominant contributor) concerning the Millennium (the coming Kingdom Age of Christ) that a Bible student is nearly overwhelmed!
How can anyone deny this fact?
Prophet after Prophet!
Psalmists, too!
Amazing!
And we go back to one of those Prophets this morning … Jeremiah again.
The Paragraph I have chosen is typical, and full. So much so that I am going to let you read it all, but I shall comment on just one verse.
Truthfully, it is self explanatory when read as a literal coming Event with Jesus as the Hero, the Protagonist, the Main Character!
Jeremiah 31:10-13, yes a little divinely inspired paragraph.
“10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. 11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. 12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. 13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.”
Have you read it?
My emphasis today is the fact that Jesus was not only “Shepherd” in days past. But Jesus will yet again be “Shepherd” to His people, the Jews! (Actually Christian friend, He is still the “Shepherd of our souls” right now, overseeing us from the Father’s Right Hand, according to 1st Peter 2:25.)
In a fuller sense, the New Testament shows Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” (three times in John chapter 10) and the “Great Shepherd” (in Hebrews 10:13) and finally the “Chief Shepherd” (in 1st Peter 5:4).
The John references concern the past, the Death of Jesus. The Hebrews analogy concerns the present, the resurrected Jesus and His ministry right now. And the Petrine reference refers to the future, to the Second Coming of our Lord!
Wow!
But Preacher, where is this “Shepherd” Metaphor in the Jeremiah Passage you’ve shared today?
In Verse 10, God talking to the whole world … “Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, AS A SHEPHERD doth his flock.”
Yes, the Chief Shepherd has returned!
Jesus, “as a Shepherd,” sorry I just can’t help but capitalize His dear Name, His beautiful Title!
Isaiah 40:11 (also Millennial), if you recall, adds to this scene: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
Wow!
But back to the Jeremiah Pericope above, my Text.
After the Shepherd comes, His flock (His people Israel) will be “redeemed” They are also here “ransomed!”
Then they break into “song!”
Then abundant blessings will freely flow!
Then all “sorrow” is vanished!
To which we now add the Passage’s final Line: “For I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.”
Also very Isaiah like!
“To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 61:3, part of the verse.
I have ended so many of these Millennium Lessons the same way. But what else can one do?
Praise the Lord!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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