Jeremiah 31

In Jer. 30-31 four times we hear the words, “Behold, the days are coming”.  There is a specific time in God’s plan in which certain things will occur.

•    In 30:3 Israel will return to the land.
•    In 31:27 God will unite the divided nation.  Much of Ch. 31 reveals the glorious truth that the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) will turn from the idolatry and will worship again in Jerusalem.  Rachel will no longer weep over her children, Benjamin and Joseph (v15).  Ephraim, who rejected the Davidic king and the temple worship will again go up to God in Zion (v6) and will have David for her king (30:9).
•    In 31:38 Jerusalem will be rebuilt, the home of justice (where the Davidic King reign) and the mountain of holiness (where the Messianic temple will be; cf. 31:23).
•    In 31:31 God will make a New Covenant with Judah and Ephraim.  This is the means by which God will establish the united nation in righteousness.  We noted previously that for Israel to remain in the land their must be a satisfactory answer to their sin.  This New Covenant is a sure promise of God.  It is as certain as God’s creation (v35-37).

The “New Covenant” of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is the same as that referred to by Christ at the last supper (Mt. 26:28; 1 Cor. 11:25), and the same explained in great detail by the writer to the Hebrews (Heb. 8-10; 13:20).  Consider God’s promise.

*v31: The New Covenant is with Israel and Judah.  That does not prevent Gentiles from enjoying it’s benefits but indicates what we know: that salvation is of the Jews; the Gentiles benefit through Israel (John 4:22; Rom. 11:11).

*v32: It is not like the Mosaic covenant.  It is not a “new and improved” Mosaic covenant.  It is not according to the old covenant.  As God Himself anticipated, Israel would not be able to keep the old covenant (Deut. 31:16,27-29).  God would need to do something gracious and loving (Jer. 31:2-3).

*v33-34:  The New Covenant anticipates the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit, a reality that would not be experienced until after the earthly ministry of the Savior (Jn. 14:15-18).  In this way the law of God and the knowledge of God would be within every believer.  And in this way God’s people will have the power to live a righteous life.  But the Spirit can only indwell the one whose iniquity is forgiven and thus awaited the death and resurrection of Messiah.

The New Covenant is a blessing for the Body of Christ today.  This gracious provision of God is established by faith.  So we need to study this, understand what God has done on our behalf.  But as Paul himself encourages us, let us not forget that it has come to us through God’s earthly people Israel (Rom 11:20-22).  Though they are enemies of the gospel, they are beloved as well (Rom. 11:28).