OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS

The Old Testament texts for the Second Sunday After Christmas are a celebration of God's salvation.  Jeremiah 31:7-14 proclaims a new salvation to a remnant that will survive Israel's exile from the land at the hands of the Babylonians, while Psalm 147:12-20 is a celebration of God's power to save Israel.

Jeremiah 31:7-14 - "Salvation as Radical Reversal"
Setting.   Jeremiah 31:7-14 consists of two distinct oracles.  Jeremiah 31:7-9 is an oracle of salvation addressed to Israel, or more specifically to the remnant of Israel that is either in the process of or about to experience a new salvation. This oracle begins with a prophetic messenger formula ("Thus says the Lord . . ."), moves to a proclamation of praise ("Sing . . . raise, shout . . . proclaim . . ."), and the…