Teaching Team
The Breath of our Nostrils
Today is the ninth of Av, the day we remember the destruction of Jerusalem, the burning of the Holy Temple and the end of the Davidic monarchy. On this day, the book of Lamentations is read.
In the book of Lamentations, the Davidic King is compared to very air we breathe. The people of Judea regarded the Son of David ruling out of Jerusalem as essential to life as the breath of their lungs. It says “The breath of our nostrils, the LORD'S anointed, was captured in their pits, of whom we had said, ‘Under his shadow we shall live among the nations’” (Lamentations 4:20).
In this passage the writer of the lament refers to the Judean king by the common title “the LORD’s Messiah.” The Hebrew word for “anointed” is mashiach. Therefore the verse could be read to says, “the LORD’s Messiah.” He says that the people of Judea had hoped to dwell among the nations “under his shadow.” In other words, they hoped that the Davidic king would be able to provide political and military stability. Their hopes were dashed when Judea was overrun by the Babylonians and King Zedekiah was taken in fetters into captivity.
The sentiment, “The LORD’S Messiah … of whom we had said, ‘Under his shadow we shall live among the nations,’” is very similar to the disappointed assessment of Yeshua made by the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21), they said.
In the future to come, King Messiah will redeem Israel, and we will dwell in safety among the nations under his shadow.
D. Thomas Lancaster
Av 9, 5767
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Visitor Feedback:
something that struck me reading this post was from the Scriptures "Under his shadow we shall live among the nations". it doesnt say that we shall live under his shadow in the land of Israel. it says among all the nations.
it sounds to me like Jeremiah is referring to right here and now. we are living beneath Yeshua Messiah's shadow among all the nations.
peter
pbandj | July 24, 2007 4:10 PM
Hi Daniel,
Great post.
Peter, looking at Zecharia 14:11 would seem to confirm this post referring to a time yet to come. Also Isaiah 2 would speak to a future time.
Remembering that everything revolves around Israel (the land),and the nations coming to it ultimately.
I agree that we should be living in the shadow of the master now as well... :)
just additional thought!
michael kemp | July 25, 2007 9:49 AM