Read: Jeremiah 31:1-30
There is a beautiful refrain starting to happen in these chapters; we see it in vs 1: “At that time” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the clans of Israel,
Some people will be killed in the ensuing battles that will come when Babylon comes up against the towns and villages of Judah and in Jerusalem. However, the Lord says that those who survive that will be safe in Babylon. The Lord likens their exile to that of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness after bringing them out of Egypt, and how He protected them then. There, the Lord won their battles. He gave them water to drink and food to eat. Their shoes did not wear out, nor did their clothes. But the Lord protected them on all sides, both day and night. The Lord promised them a form of rest.
As you read through the passage you probably noticed the Lord’s tenderness in speaking about His people. For example, have a look at vs 3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.”
By calling Israel, “O Virgin Israel” what is the Lord conveying to the people? Surely He is considering them, not as they were: “You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness (Jeremiah 3:2), but as they will be: innocent before, and faithful to the Lord. To go and worship the Lord will be a thing of joy and gladness.
Yes, going into exile may be painful and bring Judah to tears. Their pride will be dented. But unlike the kings, governments and leaders of the world who do not have sovereign power and control over events they face, the Lord, the God of Israel, does have the power and says: “They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future”, declares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land. (Jeremiah 31:16-17)
They will return to blessing and fruitfulness. Once, Judah was far away from the Lord, but in His grace and mercy the Lord will bring them back to Him and they will understand. They will realise that the Lord had not deserted them, but they’d turned their backs on Him and left Him out of their life. See how the Lord says, “(vs 20) I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him.”
The Lord waits for us to come near to Him. The Lord’s desire is to be a blessing to those who are reconciled with Him by trusting in Jesus and putting our hope in His promises. Even now the Lord is building up His people throughout the nations and bringing them to know what it is to be reconciled with God – a blessing of eternal value. Look at how the Lord waits to restore our lives: “(vs 27-28) The days are coming”, declares the Lord, “when I will plant the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the offspring of men and of animals. (Looking to a later generation) Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant.”
This is language of restoration to God’s people who will turn to Him in faith and obedience. It is language of rebuilding our lives that they will be a blessing and a joy in the Lord.
Prayer:
Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
· Pray for the rebuilding of God’s Kingdom among the people of Toowoomba and surrounding districts – that people will be reconciled with the Lord our God and delight in Him.
· Pray for the cell groups that meet together so that each one might be encouraged and brought into a deeper and greater relationship with the Lord. Ask the Lord how you might encourage another person today in their walk with God.
1. How is it that God can call sinners: “O Virgin Israel”?
2. Why does the Lord (through Jeremiah) call Israel “(v9) Ephraim my first-born son” , “”(v20) ... Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight?”? (Hint: Have a look at who Ephraim is and the meaning of his name (Genesis 41:52), and what is happening in this passage)
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