Jeremiah 23:9 – 33:22
Overview
Today we continue to read in Jeremiah about the many false prophets that were deceiving the people who lived in Jerusalem & Judah. These individuals would make a proclamation stating it was from the Lord. They would tell the people that Jerusalem will not be attacked and the people should not worry. The false prophets would also go to Jeremiah and ask him what the Lord is telling him and then they would repeat it as if it was spoken to them. We also learned that God plans to keep His people in captivity in Babylon for 70 years. We also learn that there were some who wanted to kill Jeremiah. Even though his life is threatened, Jeremiah continues to speak out telling the people that Judah will serve Nebuchadnessar, king of Babylon while they are in captivity but when it is all over, God promises the restoration of Israel.
Scripture Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Observation
God has made a promise to make a new covenant with the people of Israel & Judah. This time it will be different. It won’t be one that can be broken by man. God’s people were obeying and worshiping because they were told to. The Law will not be written on stone or scrolls only to be obeyed for a short time and then forgotten. Instead, it will be written on their hearts and minds. With changed hearts man will be able to worship God at any time and any place. No longer will they be bound by rules and limitations to maintain their holiness because their sins will no longer be a barrier. God will forgive their sins forever.
Application
God loves his people. Not just Israel and Judah, but all of His creation (all humanity). God has made an everlasting covenant that cannot be broken by man. God is displaying His Grace to us through this new Covenant. The grace of God is His divine favor towards us. We don’t deserve it. While he desires for us to worship and obey him and we can only do this with a willing heart that desires to follow God. The problem is our nature is rebellious towards God and we do not have that desire. We don’t deserve God’s grace. We deserve death because of our sin (Romans 3:23). But instead of Death, our Lord offers His forgiveness. God’s son Jesus Christ dies for our sins. He is the perfect lamb that provides the forgiveness of our sins. All we need to do is accept that free gift of salvation (John 3:16)
Prayer
I praise you God for your Holy Spirit of truth. Thank you Lord that you don’t break promises and your love and promise is eternal. Most of all God, thank you for your unconditional love.
