War and peace – Day 5
Comfort and hope
Itekisi yeBhayibhile
UJEREMIYA 31
Ukungathuthuzeleki kukaRakeli
In The Book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah announces disaster for the people of God. They will be taken captive to Babylonia. Yet, there is also hope. Jeremiah refers to Rachel, the wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. She died when Benjamin was born (Genesis 35:16-20). Here, hundreds of years later, she is re-enacted. She weeps for her distant offspring, the people of God. But, God is a comforting God. He comforts Rachel and her children, and offers them a hopeful future. In this way, God offers perspective in the midst of violence and suffering. This is still relevant today. Even now, we need God’s comfort and hope.
In the Bible, you read that many of God’s people have died as a result of oppression and violence of war. There is a lot of sadness about this. But, God gives recognition here of that sorrow, and comfort. God shows himself as a God who cares and draws close to his people.
What does this mean for your life of faith?
