Flock

This Advent week we begin worship with:

Isaiah 40:9-11

Go on up to a high mountain,

    O Zion, herald of good news;

lift up your voice with strength,

    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;

    lift it up, fear not;

say to the cities of Judah,

    “Behold your God!”

Behold, the Lord God comes with might,

    and his arm rules for him;

behold, his reward is with him,

    and his recompense before him.

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

    he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

    and gently lead those that are with young.

When the victor returns, the watchtowers ring out with the news.  The heralds trumpet the good news that their victorious army has returned.  Normally, what is driven before the army are the captives; what is pulled in their wagons is what has been looted after the battle.

But not so here.  His reward (śāḵār) [what was paid] and his recompense (pᵊʿullâ) [what was owed] are before him.  For, our Lord was sent out with a task and he will fulfill it.

John 6:38-40
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

In doing so, He will tend, gather, carry, and lead us ever so gently.