Hope for the Future

September 14, 2014 Background Scripture: Jeremiah 31 Lesson Passage: Jeremiah 31:31 – 37 Hope is one of the abiding graces. When all else fails, one should be able to depend on the three abiding graces: faith, hope, and love. Although Israel was confronted with a dismal existence as captives in a foreign land, God sent a word of encouragement through Jeremiah which gave the nation hope for a future where conditions would be better. The nation of Israel would be restored to the land of promise and a state of sovereignty as a nation. The restored nation would have a new covenant with God. In spite of Israel’s rebellious ways towards God, God proclaimed that His love for Israel is an everlasting love. God provided a vision of the restored nation to Jeremiah whereas Israel would be living in the land of Zion and enjoying the fruit of the land. Israel had been scattered but the promise was that she would be gathered again as a large nation of people. Zion would again be inhabited by the people of God and they will praise Him for His goodness. They could not sing Zion songs in a foreign land but after restoration, they would again sing praises unto God’s name. Israel was assured by the prophet that the future would be bright for the young ones of Israel. All good parents want their children’s future to be better than the parents’ past and present. How comforting was this word of hope that assured them that their children would be free in their own country and not foreigners in the land of their oppressors. This vision of Israel’s future was refreshing to the soul of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had wept for Israel as he witnessed them being taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Those tears would one day be exchanged for joy and gladness. All of this would be made sure by way of a covenant between God and Israel. Generations would no longer suffer because of the sins of their forefathers. The forefathers would suffer for their own sin and the children would suffer for their sin. God is fair (just) and He would not allow any to blame Him for the conditions that are imposed on them because of the sin of others. This attitude would be done away with through the new covenant. The new covenant would not be etched on stone tablets but written in the hearts of the people. They would not need to be taught the provisions of the covenant because it would be in their hearts and known of them. The new covenant will not be a condemning covenant like the old covenant. The old covenant was against human nature and it constantly pointed towards man’s shortcomings (sin and iniquity). The new covenant would allow Israel to experience the grace of God and He would forgive their iniquity and take away their sin. The old covenant described God’s righteousness and pointed out man’s shortcomings. Through the new covenant God would provide a way for Israel to receive His righteousness. The old covenant identified what they were missing and the new covenant provided what they needed from God to cover their deficit. Through the description God gave to Jeremiah, one can see that the new covenant is comprehensive and extends throughout time. The prophetic word God gave Jeremiah for Israel was relevant for Israel’s immediate and distant future. Robert C. Hudson September 8, 2014