Week 4, Friday December 23
Baruch 4:21-29
“From punishment to pardon.”
Vs 29b “For the one who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation.”
Remember as a child when a friend would come over and ask your mom or dad, “Can Joey or Susan (whichever fits) come out to play?” And mom or dad would answer, “No, Kevin, he/she can’t come play because he/she is grounded.” Grounded! That all encompassing punishment that we all received when we’d done something really bad or failed to do something we were asked - possibly even more than once - to do. There was a time period in which you were confined to your room deprived of TV, video games, friends, anything that brought you fun or joy. The assignment, “to sit and think about what you’ve done (or not done)” so you would be less inclined to repeat the transgression.
We know the relationship between God and the Israelites was that of Heavenly Father to His earthly children - His chosen ones. When I was first learning the stories of the Old Testament and the transition between Old and New Testaments - old and new covenants, it was easy to conceptualize if I thought about it in terms of kids getting punished for their problematic behaviors. God repeatedly told His children what to do and what the consequences would be if they failed to amend their behaviors. Like most children confident of a second chance, I could just invision the Israelites begging forgiveness and promising obedience, and God’s heart would turn to them and they would get another chance. This may seem over simplified but then again it may seem fitting. The cycle repeated itself throughout the generations. Finally, God said, “ENOUGH!” And they were “grounded” and for a much longer period of time than we ever encountered.
God’s heart was heavy. He loved His children. He hated to see them suffering. Baruch relays this poem of consolation from God to His children.
Then our mom or dad would come to our bedroom, open the door, and come in. We’d look around to see eyes full of love and compassion. Then we’d receive the explanation of renewed expectations.
But the message Baruch is delivering is not one of renewed expectations but complete pardon. See that’s the difference between our childhood experiences of the cycle of misbehaving, grounding, and liberation. The Israelites and all humanity would no longer fear consequences. They (we) received the promise of everlasting hope and salvation. No more consequences but reward - an everlasting Savior. We rejoice because God so loved the world that He sent His Son to save the world. And as we wait for the His second coming, our hope is renewed beyond measure. Amen!