How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The LORD will create a new thing on earth—the woman will return to the man.” – Jeremiah 31:22

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 25, 2017) Jeremiah 31

Tomyris was a queen of a nomadic people that inhabited the Iran during the 6^th Century B.C.E. How she rose to be queen is unclear, but she was queen, and she ruled well over her people. Ancient historical records indicate that the Persian Emperor, Cyrus the Great, wanted to rule over Tomyris’ people. But rather than attacking Tomyris, Cyrus offered to marry Tomyris and take over her empire in that way. But Tomyris refused the offer. Instead, relations between the two leaders deteriorated until Tomyris offered to meet Cyrus on a level plain in Central Asia so that the two armies could meet in an honorable battle. And Cyrus agreed to the offer.

But Cyrus knew that Tomyris’ people were unfamiliar with the effects of wine. So Cyrus left a camp for the soldiers of Tomyris that was well stocked with food – and wine. When the soldiers found the camp, the soldiers ate and drank themselves into oblivion. And when the soldiers of Cyrus showed up, the soldiers of Tomyris were no match for Cyrus’ experienced army. But when Tomyris learned of the treachery, she personally led her army against the Persian forces. And it was in this battle that Tomyris’ troops got the upper hand and inflicted heavy casualties on the Persian forces. And in this fight, Tomyris had a chance to face down her former suitor, and it was Tomyris that won, killing the great Persian Emperor. This battle on a plain in central Asia was enough to lift Tomyris to the role of a warrior queen.

Jeremiah asks Israel how long she intends to wander and be unfaithful. Some versions of this text have translated the word Daughter as a virgin. And the line of thought seems to be that Israel was supposed to be the one who was faithful, but they had desired something different. So God was going to save them, but he was going to do it with a daughter – a virgin – who would remain faithful to him.

The key passage is that God ‘will create a new thing on earth.” A woman who will protect the man – a virgin that will give birth to a child. The prediction is not of the rise of a Tomyris or even the return of a Deborah – a warrior woman within the Israelite historical story. This would be new. When interpreted from within the Messianic passages, we see this as a woman who will be the protector of the man – the one who would be the Messiah.

A virgin will be with child, and she will bear the child and protect the child – the Messiah – until the time came for him to be revealed. This faithful woman would be a key factor in the ultimate saving of Israel – and in all that would follow afterward.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 32