Reading for August 12th

Read Jeremiah 3.19-24. In 3.19-24: Though still nostalgic for his wife (2.19-20). the husband/father again invites the children to "return" and promises to heal them. In verses 22-24: The children then begin to speak, addressing the father directly and repenting of their infedelity and idolatry. The family is partially restored. The account of the broken family symbolically retells the entire course of Judah's history up to the exile. It is likely that the children symbolize the exiles who were invited to return and promised a renewed future in allegiance to their father. The story of the broken family explains the Exile symbollically. The historical destruction of Judah and Jerusalem was not God's fault but was punishment for idolatry and betrayal. That betrayal by all the people appears the more intimate and wrong because it is like betrayal by a spouse. Comments or Questions..