Darling

We love to be called by pet names. Have you come across pet names in Bible? Jeshurun is a pet and a poetical name for the people of Israel. It means "God’s dear upright people". The Greek Septuagint translates Jeshurun as “beloved one,” using a form of the word agape. The name Jeshurun is used four times in the books of Deuteronomy and Isaiah. In each case the name occurs in a poetic setting and refers to Israel, God’s beloved people.

Warning and Grace 
Jeshurun displays both warning and grace. God comforts His people with these words:
“But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. This is what the Lord says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.” (Isaiah 44:1-2)

Israel could be called “Jeshurun” only because of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The book of Isaiah starts off with condemnation of Israel’s sin, calling them a “sinful nation” (Isaiah 1:4). They had been branded in a similar way in (Deuteronomy 32:15). “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior.” This is an interesting and important warning from God. The power of affluence can turn a person away from God like how it did to Israel. The Bible is not against wealth. The warning however here is that it can deter our spiritual life. Yet God still tenderly calls them “Jeshurun,” the “upright one” in Isaiah 44.

God of Jeshurun
It is interesting to see that Moses takes pride in calling God as, “God of Jeshurun”. He blesses Israel in this manner: “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:26-27). Moses adores God as “King of Jeshurun” too. “[The Lord] was king over Jeshurun when the leaders of the people assembled, along with the tribes of Israel” (Deuteronomy 33:5).

As a spiritual Israelite today, can someone call my God, tagged with my name as “God of GRACE” (replace your name)? I would be a blessed person if my God can be addressed that way. However let us heed to the warning of affluence in our lives. Our gracious God can help us to be forgiven of our pride and sin. Having washed by his blood, I would not be surprised to know that my God has a pet name for me. I can hear him saying, "I love you, Jeshurun, my darling!" Yes, I am His darling, His beloved, His Jeshurun!