Text: Psalm 80
Text
There is one prayer, repeated three times, in the psalm. “Restore us…let your face shine, that we may be saved.” Litany like, it alters the name called upon each time. Restore us – O God, O God of Hosts, O LORD God of Hosts. And before each breathing of the prayer there is a recitation of where God’s people might find themselves. And within that recitation an appeal to a certain image of God.
Shepherd
The fist is to the Shepherd – “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel.” But it is juxtaposed with such a weird combination of sheep. “You who lead Joseph like a flock.” Ephraim and Manasseh are Joseph’s kids. They are the half-tribes of the favored son who get a double portion of the inheritance. And they are yoked with Benjamin. All the children of the favored wife Rachel. But on opposite sides of the division of the Davidic Kingdom. Ephraim and Manasseh going with the Northern – Israel – and Benjamin loyal to the Davidic Southern – Judah. It’s a hash. Shepherd of Israel. Look at what has happened. We’ve all wandered and strayed. We’ve played favorites. We’ve divided ourselves into tribes that make no sense. Stir up your might.
Restore us, O God. Let your light shine that we may be saved. The restore us if you look at carious translations is a stumbling block. The venerable King James used “turn us again.” The Septuagint – the greek translation of the OT – uses the word usually translated repent. They all have a physical meaning to turn around. But we are talking about God’s people. These are those whom God has claimed. Maybe like sheep they have all gone astray, but the covenant still stands. But even in the midst of a far country, there is a recognition that life was better in my faither’s house. Hence restore. I knew it once. I haven’t lost it although I am now far from your face. Let is shine on me again. Lead me back Shepherd of Israel.
Hidden God
The second recitation I think Luther might have put under the title the Hidden God. Those times when Israel just ignores God, or goes through the motions. They make the sacrifices called for, but not with their hearts. They’d rather be at the high places. Or they’d rather get back to counting money and making deals. “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale (Amos 8:5 ESV).” And when one wanders away, God often lets us. He hides his face. He rejects the offerings. And when we are on our own, it doesn’t go well. And eventually we might notice.
“How long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?”
And collectively Israel’s troubles deepen.
“You make us an object of contention for our neighbors.”
When we choose the world, we get what we have chosen.
“Restore us, O God of hosts.”
Vineyard & Vinedresser
The third is the vineyard and vinedresser. “You brought a vine out of Egypt.” It recalls Isaiah’s song of the vineyard. God planted his vineyard in a find land. A land flowing with milk and honey. He ensured that it grew everywhere. “It sent out branches to the sea and its shoots to the river.” But in Isreal’s case as Isaiah would say “it produced nothing but bad grapes.” So God would tear it down. And Israel would lament “why have you broken down its walls?” As the walls of Jerusalem would come down. “The boar from the forest ravages it.”
But the plea at this turning is for God to turn. “Turn again, O God of Hosts, Look down from heaven and see. Have regard for this vine.”
Christology
When the people of God have gone astray, how does he shepherd them back?
When they have God after the world, how does he hear them again?
When the grapes are bad, how does one make new wine?
“Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself.”
When everything appears lost. When God feels far away and deaf. When the vineyard is a ruin. The Son of Man comes. And gives life. And his people call on his name again.
Conclusion
Israel’s story, is the church’s story, is often the story of the single soul. We are blessed by God’s providence. Lead in green pastures. Planted over the waters. Gently cared for by the vinedresser for years. And we take it for granted. Not that God is meaningless, but we’ve got other things to do and keep us busy. And then we find ourselves out in the cold.
“Restore us O LORD, God of Hosts. Let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
And maybe I find the progression of the names meaningful. From a generic God. To a God of might – O God of Hosts. To the LORD.
He’s the one that brings the good out of the bad. Even our sin can be turned into a knowledge of our God. Not the one who remains angry or chucks lightning bolt. But the one who restores, who turns us around. Who again makes his face shine upon his people.