Review Day: Jeremiah 26-48

Date	Version	Reading Plan
@August 11, 2023	ESV (2016)	ESV Prophets Plan 2023

Notes

Review conducted using the TGC’s Knowing the Bible: Jeremiah by Matthew S. Harmon. All pull quotes are taken from this resource.

In announcing the new covenant, God promises, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer. 31:34). Although God appointed the sacrificial system to deal with Israel’s sin, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). These sacrifices pointed forward to the one who would offer himself as a sacrifice for sin (Isa. 53:10; Gal. 1:4).

God’s grace and heart to forgive is unchanging and ever present, even in the OT, where we tend to think of God in terms of His wrath and judgment. He has always provided a way to be in right relationship with Him, all leading to His once-for-all act of redemption through the sacrifice of His Son.

Not only does the new covenant hold the promise of forgiveness of sins; God also promises to write his law on the hearts of his people (Jer. 31:33). That is exactly what God has done through his Spirit for those who believe in Christ (Rom. 2:29; 2 Cor. 3:1–3). By his Spirit dwelling inside us, God is the one “who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

The law written on the hearts would be the mark of the new covenant, replacing the old one written on stone. Between the law and His Spirit given to guide, He has provided all that we need for a life of faith and worship of Him.

When faced with impending disaster, the people of Judah “repented” of their sin (Jer. 34:8–10). But once the danger of judgment appeared to be past, the people returned to their old ways (vv. Jer. 34:11–16)…as Martin Luther rightly noted, “The entire life of believers is to be one of repentance.” Genuine repentance is rooted in godly sorrow that grieves over offending a holy God (2 Cor. 7:5–13). It is a gift that God gives (2 Tim. 2:25), yet at the same time it is something we are responsible to practice (Rom. 2:4).

We can be so capricious in our faith, ignoring the Lord in prosperity but suddenly mindful of Him in adversity. Blessed are those who draw near to Him in all seasons, whose desire for closeness with Him far exceeds any circumstance.

God draws a lesson on faithfulness for his people from the obedience of the Rechabites to their father Jonadab (Jer. 35:1–19)…According to Jesus, faithfulness in small things is the foundation of faithfulness in bigger things (Luke 16:10–12).

What an amazing connection this is! That our faithfulness of Him can be imaged by how we handle faithfulness in the small things. It begs the question, “Does my daily life exemplify a pattern of faithfulness?”

God promises those left behind in the land that if they remain in Judah, “I am with you, to save you and to deliver you” (42:11). This promise is a picture of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

How often I have been restless like the Israelites: in a place where I don’t want to be, job not going well, relationships gone sour, thinking it would be better if I made a change. The reality is, when I pull away from Him and make changes on my own, I am left unsatisfied. It’s only when I walk in-step with Him that I experience unconditional satisfaction.

In announcing his future judgment on Egypt, God refers to Nebuchadnezzar as “my servant” (Jer. 43:10). Throughout redemptive history God designates as his “servant” key figures in his unfolding plan, including Abraham (Gen. 26:4), Moses (Ex. 14:31; Num. 12:7), Joshua (Josh. 24:29), David (Ps. 18:1; Ezek. 34:23–24; 37:24–25), and the suffering servant (Isa. 52:13–53:12). Each of these servants in some fashion points forward to the ultimate servant, Jesus Christ, who “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:7)

I have been reflecting a lot lately on the role of the servant; that as Christ-followers, we are to serve as He served. I sense the Spirit’s shaping me in my perspective as I continue to explore the gifts He has given me in the serving of others.

Application

There are so many great things in these chapters and so many ways to see God’s love, justice, beauty and faithfulness. What’s more, the chasm between His greatness and our wickedness continues to come into clearer light; looking at history headed for the cross, appreciating more distance He had to cover in order to reach and to save us. So good! What a blessing this journey through the prophets has been.

Commentaries & Resources Used