Breath of Israel

Breath of Israel January 16, 2010

Jeremiah describes invaders chasing Israel across the mountains of the land, pursuing them as swiftly as eagles (Lamentations 4:19).  They can’t keep going; out of breath, they are ambushed and taken into exile.

Why are they breathless and weak?  Because “the breath of our nostrils . . . was captured in their pits.”  Who or what might that be?  The parallel phrase in verse 20a tells us: “the breath (Heb., ruach ) of our nostrils, Yahweh’s anointed.”  That is, Judah’s king is Judah’s breath.  Judah’s king is a new Adam sharing breath with Judah.  Judah’s king encourages warriors who have exhausted their strength, fills the noses of Judah’s warriors with battle-rage, gives life and breath to His people.

All of Judah’s kings, every anointed one, communicated ruach to the people.  That’s what kings do.  And that’s what Jesus does.


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