Today we’ll begin from the following passage and take some time to reflect on other key parts of the chapter that give this part significance and depth with respect to His promise.
Jeremiah 32:36-41
“Now therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ’It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence’: Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.”
Some key things that should summarize this passage:
1) God has decreed wrath against Israel
2) He will, however, restore them to a right relationship
3) He’s going to make a new covenant that is unique
God has decreed wrath against Israel. As we see earlier in the chapter, Jeremiah gets word from the Lord that Zedekiah (name means “the Lord’s righteousness”), king of Judah, will fall at the hands of the Babylonians, seeing the destruction and captivity of his people. The king is outraged that a prophet would give such a word, and imprisoned him. In their day, prophets were often the ones who gave the king encouragement, wisdom, or even foresight. Jeremiah was not just being a traitor or one who curses, but rather a messenger from God. Jeremiah is putting things in the perspective of the covenant which Judah, like Israel, has broken. Jeremiah has word from the Lord, confirmed from God. God proved it with the power of a miracle, saying that his cousin will make him a real estate offer in a very particular area, and when he comes he will buy it. So his cousin came and give him an offer, and he bought it.
This was a sign that God will restore Israel. He said that fields will be bought in this land once more. He will, however, restore them to a right relationship even greater. God says He will bless Abraham according to the covenant given to him. And by this covenant, all his descendants will be blessed.
At this point, Jeremiah breaks out in a prayer of praise, lauding God’s awesomeness:
“Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds….” (v17-19)
God is great, mighty, just, capable, loving, and astounding. And He is aware of our our actions.
“You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day. You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror. And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. And they entered and took possession of it.” (v20-23a)
How has He shown it? In fact, how has He revealed Himself to us? How do we know of this mighty God who is loving and capable? From the signs, wonders, outstretched arm, the name and reputation He famed, His blessings and giving of the land. In sum, how powerfully God delivered Israel out of Egypt and conquered a land full of enemies to give to them. This is the God who we know. This is the God who we are talking to. This is the God we worship. This is how God revealed Himself, and we have great reason to trust.
It is within this perspective that he now sets the scene and casts the petition:
“But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them. Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has come to pass, and behold, you see it. Yet you, O Lord GOD, have said to me, ”Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.’” (v23b-25)
Though God was faithful, we were unfaithful. Though God showed up powerfully, we showed our powerlessness. Though God provided abundantly, we squandered it wholly. Though the demands of the covenant were small: “Obey me”, we did not and forsook every command. Hence, we have due justice poured out on us, with the dispossession of the land, the theft of the goods, the scattering of the nation, the shame of Israel’s name, and suffering loss through famine and sword. It was due. It still is due. God is just, because we were in the wrong. But God, you confuse us; You still want to give hope and bless us? How can this be?
God basically says, “You’re right. You were evil, and you definitely will be punished. The city is lost to the Chaldeans, and it is because Judah has been evil from the start, and has now sacrificed your babies in the fire to the god Molech (whose name, I believe, means “One who rules”). This makes me sick.”
Even so, God gives hope, despite our sin, despite the prevailing wind. He’s going to make a new covenant that is unique. This is what makes the new covenant unique: that it will be a change of heart, that we will never be lost completely; that our hearts will always have etched upon them the name of God and the demands of faithfulness.
“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.” (v38b-31)
They shall be my people.
And I will be their God.
I will give them one heart and one way.
Why? That they may fear me forever.
- For their own good
- For the good of their children after them
This covenant will last forever
- I will always be good to them.
- They will have fear in their hearts
Why? That they stay by my side
I will rejoice in their righteousness
I will plant them in faithfulness
With all of who I am.
Powerful. Are you in this covenant? Do you have abiding fear? Does God rejoice in your righteousness?