The King of IsraelSýnishorn

Day 2 – The Gathering of the Exiles

A great chapter to read about the King of Israel is Isaiah 49. From the beginning you read what we learned yesterday: the Messiah will judge the nations. But it is also His mission to bring home the scattered tribes of Israel. These tribes have been scattered all over the world. We call this scattering of the Jewish people diaspora. It had already begun in the time of the prophet Isaiah. The northern tribes such as Ephraim and Manasseh had disappeared during the war with Assyria (722 BC). Judah was deported to Babylon (587 BC) and only a small number returned to Jerusalem. In New Testament times, there were a million Jews living in Egypt alone! The Jewish diaspora has grown larger and larger over the centuries. But God wants His people to return.

In Ezekiel 34 we read that God Himself will look after the scattered sheep of Israel and gather them together. It is not natural for the people of Israel to live scattered among the nations. God brought Israel to the Promised Land long ago and that is where they belong. Ezekiel 34 is just one of many portions of the Bible that promise Israel's return. And as you can see, Isaiah 49 lists it as one of the tasks of the Servant of God.

The sages of Israel say, "The exile is in part punishment for our sins, but it is also a sin in itself!" Jesus speaks of Himself as the Good Shepherd who will pasture His people on God's behalf. Just before His death we even read that the suffering and death of Jesus has everything to do with the gathering of the people of God. It is extraordinary that we can witness in our time what God has said about the return from exile in our time!

Something to think about: Today, countless Jews from all over the world are returning to Israel. What a great testament to God's faithfulness and love for His people!