scatter or reconcile - you choose!
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Very early on in our relationship, so early in fact it could have been the first time we met, Amy made it a point to tell me how much she loved Disney, and when I say love, I’m not joking. She has been to Walt Disney World more times than any other human being I know and even though every time she hears me say that she likes to explain that her grandparents lived in Palm Beach, Florida and when they would travel to visit them they would stop by Disney. The fact remains she has been more than any other human being I know. Now I have come to love Disney too after being able to experience it as a parent. Twice the five of us have been able to go together and those trips have been some of the most peaceful and pleasant and joyful trips for the five of us.
Now even before my first trip to Disney World, there was one thing about Disney I loved – the animated movies it released, especially its 1994 release - The Lion King. Today I’m sure most of you know, or have heard of The Lion King, but just in case you haven’t let me tell you a little something about it. It tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands. There is only one problem, Simba’s uncle and Mufasa’s brother Scar who desperately wants the power that comes with being King. Knowing Simba to be an adventurous young lion, Scar convinces him to take a little adventure that ultimately puts him and his young lady friend in harms way. Ultimately, Mufasa comes to the rescue, but does not survive. Instead of being comforted by his uncle Scar, Simba, already devastated by the loss of his father, is shamed by Scar and ultimately flees into exile, making Scar the new King.
During his time in exile, Simba makes friends with a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa who basically raise him and teach him the ways of life in the jungle. Like most anyone would, Simba forgets about his role as king of the Pride Lands, until he is all grown up and reunites with that lady friend.
After some prophetic convincing, Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands, only what he now sees is nothing like the Pride Lands he remembered. Scar has completely ruined the once-beautiful kingdom. The place is dark and destroyed, all of the leaves and greenery wilted. What's worse: none of the lions have anything to eat. Everything in the Pride Lands appears to be dying because everything and everyone has been scattered by the oppressive tyranny of King Scar.
Ultimately, of course, there is a happy ending – it is a Disney movie after all. Peace and prosperity come back to the Pride Lands. All relationships are reconciled as Simba takes the throne and becomes King.
****************************************
This underlying theme of righting the wrongs of an abusive powermonger, or oppressive government, is nothing new. There are many stories throughout much of the worlds history that fit into to this very theme. In fact, many of the stories we find in our Bible fit into this overall theme. Many of our Bible’s stories concern themselves with the restoration and reconciliation of relationships that have been torn apart by self-serving tyrants. I believe it is this very theme that Jeremiah is addressing in today’s scripture. “The prophecy itself is rooted in a challenge to corrupt and ineffectual government over the people of Israel—to the shepherds who have destroyed and scattered God’s sheep.” [1]
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord… I myself will gather the remnant of my flock… I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing…”
Now, shepherd was a common metaphor for kingship during that time, but it can also refer to other leaders charged with overseeing the care of people. So, when we read “woe to the shepherds who destroy…” I believe it is best that we embrace it as metaphor. That way the biblical text can continue to have meaning. You see, by embracing the metaphor, Jeremiah’s words make it clear “that God has specific expectations for those who possess power [because] the privilege of power is always accompanied by the responsibility of attending to the people. The kings forgot that they were called to be shepherds. They forgot that their primary responsibility was to nurture and protect their flock. They forgot they needed to be out in the fields day and night watching over the needs of their sheep. Their failure has led to exile.”[2]
So this prophecy of Jeremiah is a prophecy about power. As one theologian commented, “Very few of us have any sense of what it is like to possess the unparalleled power of a monarch, but almost all of us have power of one kind or another. Whether in the public [square], in the workplace, or in the home, we all have interactions every day that involve some form of power over others. We would be wise to [ever] link the wielding of power with compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice.”[3]
************************************
Now I don’t know about you, but when I read that commentary and compare it to the stories dominating our news today my heart breaks. I find myself asking why those in power seem unable or unwilling to link compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice to the policies they are promoting and enacting. Why in the year 2018 does the story of oppression and mistreatment of God’s children continue to dominate the human story? These stories are happening all over the world, and as hard as it is to admit, they are front and center here in the United States. Wielding power in ways that harms people is a very scary thing to me. I would like to say it makes us human beings look like wild animals, but then I think about the ways wild animals can actually cohabitate in peace and harmony and I realize I can’t even say that.
What I can say is that the prophetic voice of Jeremiah is a voice we all need to continue to hear because his voice is calling us to stand up for righteousness. What I can say is that the prophetic voice of Jeremiah is a voice we all need to listen to and be guided by in our dealings with all of God’s beloved creation because his voice is calling us to recognize that we should never sit idly by watching bad leadership take root for to do so makes us complicit in such bad leadership. What I can say is that the prophetic voice of Jeremiah is calling us to lament what God laments so that humanity begins moving toward newness of life.
What I can say is we can choose to scatter God’s people or we can choose to reconcile God’s people. That choice is ours because the good news in Jeremiah’s prophecy is that God is in fact promising to restore all that has become broken in God’s creation and that task of restoration and reconciliation starts with us, the people of God. That promise is right there in today’s text… “I will raise up shepherds… who will shepherd them and they shall no longer fear…” New leaders – New leadership – the type that wields power in constructive and compassionate ways. This is the future God promised then and I believe it is the future God continues to promise today. This is where I place my hope always, but especially now.
*************************************************
It is also why I think The Lion King’s message resonates so powerfully with me. Today I can better understand that Simba didn’t have to listen to those prophetic voices in his life. Those voices calling him to return to the Pride Lands. Today I can better understand that in listening to the prophetic voices and returning to the Pride Lands, Simba made a choice about his life. Simba made a choice about what he stood for. He made a choice to no longer stand idly by and watch the destruction that comes from the bad leadership that scatters. Simba made a choice to stand up to the scatterer so that restoration and reconciliation could take place.
The thing is, even today we have the same choice Simba did and the question is will we choose to take part in the scattering or will we choose to take part in the reconciling? After all, it is our choice.
Amen!
[1] Edmondson, Stephen, Feasting on the Word, Jeremiah 23:1-6, Theological Perspective
[2] King, Douglas T., Feasting on the Word Commentary, Jeremiah 23:1-6 - Homiletical Perspective
[3] Id.
Very early on in our relationship, so early in fact it could have been the first time we met, Amy made it a point to tell me how much she loved Disney, and when I say love, I’m not joking. She has been to Walt Disney World more times than any other human being I know and even though every time she hears me say that she likes to explain that her grandparents lived in Palm Beach, Florida and when they would travel to visit them they would stop by Disney. The fact remains she has been more than any other human being I know. Now I have come to love Disney too after being able to experience it as a parent. Twice the five of us have been able to go together and those trips have been some of the most peaceful and pleasant and joyful trips for the five of us.
Now even before my first trip to Disney World, there was one thing about Disney I loved – the animated movies it released, especially its 1994 release - The Lion King. Today I’m sure most of you know, or have heard of The Lion King, but just in case you haven’t let me tell you a little something about it. It tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands. There is only one problem, Simba’s uncle and Mufasa’s brother Scar who desperately wants the power that comes with being King. Knowing Simba to be an adventurous young lion, Scar convinces him to take a little adventure that ultimately puts him and his young lady friend in harms way. Ultimately, Mufasa comes to the rescue, but does not survive. Instead of being comforted by his uncle Scar, Simba, already devastated by the loss of his father, is shamed by Scar and ultimately flees into exile, making Scar the new King.
During his time in exile, Simba makes friends with a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa who basically raise him and teach him the ways of life in the jungle. Like most anyone would, Simba forgets about his role as king of the Pride Lands, until he is all grown up and reunites with that lady friend.
After some prophetic convincing, Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands, only what he now sees is nothing like the Pride Lands he remembered. Scar has completely ruined the once-beautiful kingdom. The place is dark and destroyed, all of the leaves and greenery wilted. What's worse: none of the lions have anything to eat. Everything in the Pride Lands appears to be dying because everything and everyone has been scattered by the oppressive tyranny of King Scar.
Ultimately, of course, there is a happy ending – it is a Disney movie after all. Peace and prosperity come back to the Pride Lands. All relationships are reconciled as Simba takes the throne and becomes King.
****************************************
This underlying theme of righting the wrongs of an abusive powermonger, or oppressive government, is nothing new. There are many stories throughout much of the worlds history that fit into to this very theme. In fact, many of the stories we find in our Bible fit into this overall theme. Many of our Bible’s stories concern themselves with the restoration and reconciliation of relationships that have been torn apart by self-serving tyrants. I believe it is this very theme that Jeremiah is addressing in today’s scripture. “The prophecy itself is rooted in a challenge to corrupt and ineffectual government over the people of Israel—to the shepherds who have destroyed and scattered God’s sheep.” [1]
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord… I myself will gather the remnant of my flock… I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing…”
Now, shepherd was a common metaphor for kingship during that time, but it can also refer to other leaders charged with overseeing the care of people. So, when we read “woe to the shepherds who destroy…” I believe it is best that we embrace it as metaphor. That way the biblical text can continue to have meaning. You see, by embracing the metaphor, Jeremiah’s words make it clear “that God has specific expectations for those who possess power [because] the privilege of power is always accompanied by the responsibility of attending to the people. The kings forgot that they were called to be shepherds. They forgot that their primary responsibility was to nurture and protect their flock. They forgot they needed to be out in the fields day and night watching over the needs of their sheep. Their failure has led to exile.”[2]
So this prophecy of Jeremiah is a prophecy about power. As one theologian commented, “Very few of us have any sense of what it is like to possess the unparalleled power of a monarch, but almost all of us have power of one kind or another. Whether in the public [square], in the workplace, or in the home, we all have interactions every day that involve some form of power over others. We would be wise to [ever] link the wielding of power with compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice.”[3]
************************************
Now I don’t know about you, but when I read that commentary and compare it to the stories dominating our news today my heart breaks. I find myself asking why those in power seem unable or unwilling to link compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice to the policies they are promoting and enacting. Why in the year 2018 does the story of oppression and mistreatment of God’s children continue to dominate the human story? These stories are happening all over the world, and as hard as it is to admit, they are front and center here in the United States. Wielding power in ways that harms people is a very scary thing to me. I would like to say it makes us human beings look like wild animals, but then I think about the ways wild animals can actually cohabitate in peace and harmony and I realize I can’t even say that.
What I can say is that the prophetic voice of Jeremiah is a voice we all need to continue to hear because his voice is calling us to stand up for righteousness. What I can say is that the prophetic voice of Jeremiah is a voice we all need to listen to and be guided by in our dealings with all of God’s beloved creation because his voice is calling us to recognize that we should never sit idly by watching bad leadership take root for to do so makes us complicit in such bad leadership. What I can say is that the prophetic voice of Jeremiah is calling us to lament what God laments so that humanity begins moving toward newness of life.
What I can say is we can choose to scatter God’s people or we can choose to reconcile God’s people. That choice is ours because the good news in Jeremiah’s prophecy is that God is in fact promising to restore all that has become broken in God’s creation and that task of restoration and reconciliation starts with us, the people of God. That promise is right there in today’s text… “I will raise up shepherds… who will shepherd them and they shall no longer fear…” New leaders – New leadership – the type that wields power in constructive and compassionate ways. This is the future God promised then and I believe it is the future God continues to promise today. This is where I place my hope always, but especially now.
*************************************************
It is also why I think The Lion King’s message resonates so powerfully with me. Today I can better understand that Simba didn’t have to listen to those prophetic voices in his life. Those voices calling him to return to the Pride Lands. Today I can better understand that in listening to the prophetic voices and returning to the Pride Lands, Simba made a choice about his life. Simba made a choice about what he stood for. He made a choice to no longer stand idly by and watch the destruction that comes from the bad leadership that scatters. Simba made a choice to stand up to the scatterer so that restoration and reconciliation could take place.
The thing is, even today we have the same choice Simba did and the question is will we choose to take part in the scattering or will we choose to take part in the reconciling? After all, it is our choice.
Amen!
[1] Edmondson, Stephen, Feasting on the Word, Jeremiah 23:1-6, Theological Perspective
[2] King, Douglas T., Feasting on the Word Commentary, Jeremiah 23:1-6 - Homiletical Perspective
[3] Id.