Anticipation of a New Future

September 21, 2014 Background Scripture: Jeremiah 32 Lesson Passage: Jeremiah 32:1 – 9, 14, 15 While the nation of Israel waited in fear, knowing that the capital city of Jerusalem would soon fall to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, God was already laying out the plan for Israel’s future return to Zion. Against what undoubtedly must have appeared to be impossible odds, God was proclaiming a future victory for His people. Although this victory would come seventy years after their imminent defeat, yet it would come with absolute certainty. The Babylonians had invaded Palestine and laid siege to Jerusalem. Judah’s immediate future was dim. Judah’s king, Zedekiah, was holed up in Jerusalem with supplies running low. God’s prophet, Jeremiah, was imprisoned in the king’s prison in his house in Jerusalem. In the midst of this depressing situation, God commanded Jeremiah to purchase some family land that was currently under the control of the Babylonian military. The Babylonians had taken possession of the land but God commanded Jeremiah to purchase it from his cousin. The purpose of this transaction was to demonstrate the assurance that God’s word would come to pass and Israel would again occupy Palestine. Jeremiah was purchasing land from a cousin who no longer had control of the land himself. Meanwhile, King Zedekiah kept Jeremiah locked up in prison because he was convinced that the series of unfolding events happened because Jeremiah had spoken it and not because the Lord had declared it. King Zedekiah made the mistake that many have made through the years. He ascribed God’s work to that of the prophet of God. Prophets do not make things happen by announcing that they will happen. Prophets speak as they are led by the Spirit of God and they only speak what God gives them to speak. Whenever this is the case, then prophecy is like a mold that history is poured into. Prophets don’t change the course of history. They just proclaim what God has revealed to them concerning the future. This is not a comfortable position for a prophet to be in and they often need reassurance from God concerning the word of prophecy. Such was the case in today’s lesson. God told Jeremiah beforehand who would come to him and why they would come. Jeremiah’s cousin was coming to make him such a ludicrous offer, that Jeremiah would need some assurance from God that this was from Him. Jeremiah’s cousin was offering to sell him some family land that he had loss possession of through the occupation of the Babylonian army. God instructed Jeremiah to accept the offer and make the purchase. This transaction was to be a sign to the prophet and to Judah that God would indeed return them to the land of Zion. Judah was about to be severely punished for their iniquity but they were receiving assurance ahead of time that once the punishment was over, God would restore them again. Although their present situation looked bleak, they could still anticipate a new future where they would again be in fellowship with God and living in the land God had given to their ancestors. Robert C. Hudson September 12, 2014

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