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K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
August 1930
tional repentance, followed by a new building and planting of the people in the land (cf. 24:5-7). II. The New Covenant (31:27-34). Jeremiah was a prophet of hope. Look ing to the future he saw Israel and Judah again united as a prosperous nation, their peace resting upon a strong foundation of true righteousness, their hearts renewed and the covenant dependent not upon ex ternal sanctions but upon the fact that the law would be in their inward parts and they would delight to fulfill it. , V. 27. I will sow. The land had been depopulated through many wars and cap tivities. Jeremiah sees the future increase of population in both the northern and southern kingdoms, and likens it to the springing up of grain sown in a field. V. 28. As I have watched. God had provided for 'the fulfillment of every prophecy which foretold the desolation of the land and the destruction of Jerusalem. Pluck up . . . . break down . . . . over throw . . . . . destroy and afflict. Strik ing expressions which describe the com plete disaster that should fall upon the land. Jeremiah had prophesied all these things (1:10). To build and to plant. The troubles had come under God’s per sonal direction; in like manner His mercy was to come. There would be. restoration after desolation. This, too, Jeremiah had foretold (1:10). Vs. 29, 30. The fathers have eaten sour grapes. According to the second com mandment, the iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children (Ex. 20:5). It is equally true that “each one shall die for his own iniquity” (cf. Ezek. 18:4). The meaning of Jeremiah here seems to be that the Jews were wrongly reproach ing Jehovah, because, as they alleged, the nation was suffering for the sin-of their former wicked king, Manasseh. The prophet’s point is that the people were punished only because generation after generation had continued to sin, like Ma nasseh, and had not repented. Vs. 31, 32, Make a new covenant. Jere miah foretells a new epoch in the nation’s history as important as was the Exodus. At Sinai God had made a covenant with them, based on sanctions which were in a measure material. The sanctions of the new covenant are to be spiritual, written in the heart (cf. Heb. 8:13). Some take it that this was fulfilled when Jews who ac cepted Jesus Christ as Messiah became the foundation o f the Christian Church. Is it not more natural to think o f this prophecy as relating to a time yet future when restored Israel will recognize and accept the rejected Jesus as their Messiah? V. 33. My law in their inward parts. The old law was a code of morals obeyed as a duty. The new covenant provides an inner power which transforms man’s char acter from within. Israel frequently prom ised to fully obey God's law, but as fre quently failed. A day of victory is yet to be theirs. V. 34. Know Jehovah. The time will come when there will be direct approach to God for both Jew and Gentile. Such a way o f access is already provided for the Christian through the death o f Christ (Heb. 10:19-22). I will forgive. Free and unconditional forgiveness of sins is the foundation o f the new covenant. When Israel in the future day accepts the par-
BLACKBOARD LESSON
any messengér who refuses to give God’s message and substitutes his own? V. 8. Did Jeremiah have reason to fear the people? Why? What encouraging promise did God give him ? Does the Lord Jesus give us similar encouragement (Matt. 28:20)? V. 10. In what sense was Jeremiah set over the nations? In what sense did he pluck up, break down, destroy, and over throw ? What was meant by the prophecy that he would build and plant? 31:27, 28. What figure illustrates the future increase o f population in the land? Had God brought thè disaster upon the land? Did God promise to be just as thoughtful in showing mercy? Had Jere miah prophesied both the disasters and the restoration (cf. 1 :10) ? Vs. 29, 30. Is it true that children suf fer because of the sins of parents? Is it also true that every soul suffers for his own sin? Were the people unjustly charg ing God with destroying them because of the sin of a former ruler, and failing to see their own sins? V..31. „What is a covenant? Had Israel broken the covenant that God had made with them? If God renews the covenant, will it he because o f His mercy and not because o f any merit on the part of Is rael? V 32. Will the new covenant differ from the old? At what time had the old covenant been made? In what sense was Jehovah a husband to Israel? V. 33. How will the new covenant dif fer from the old? Where will it be writ ten? What relation to God will Israel have? V. 34. Will all classes, Jew and Gentile; one day know the Lord? If God forgives all the iniquity o f Israel, will such pardon prompt them to desire to do His will?" * * * P ractical P oints 1. God has a plan for every life. His purpose may be thwarted by refusal to do His will. 2. It is possible for every Christian worker to be as certain as was Jeremiah o f a divine call to service. 3. Every true servant o f God may ex pect to suffer persecution (cf. 2 Tim. 3 : 12) because godless men hate the truth even though it be spoken in love (cf. Acts 4:1-10; 5:28). A hard-hearted peo ple always prefer the prophet who speaks pleasant words even though they be un true to the one who gives a stern but truthful message of coming doom to the sinner (cf. Isa. 30:10). 4. Those who. listened to Jeremiah might have found a way o f escape from judgment, but they were unwilling to take it. Sinners always go to their doom be cause' they will not receive God’s mercy. 5. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel give numerous descriptions of the glorious coming day when Israel will again have mercy (cf. Jer. 23:5, 6; Ezek. 36:24; 37: 19-24; 38:33-37, etc.). It seems easier to take these prophecies literally, as pointing to a glorious millennial day, when Israel shall have been restored to her land and her Messiah, than to think of them as be ing fulfilled in the Christian dispensation. 6. The new covenant with Israel, will be much better than that which God made through Moses. The earlier covenant was
don for all their sins, and particularly for the sin o f rejecting their Messiah, the love of God so bestowed will prompt their hearts to readily accept and; obey His covenant. * * * L esson Q uestions V. 5. When did God choose Jeremiah and set him apart to the ministry of a prophet? What is meant by the expres sions “I knew thee” and “I sanctified thee” ? In what sense was he a prophet unto the nations? Does God choose us and plan for our lives before we are born? Is it important for us to submit to His plan and do His will? V. 6. Why did Jeremiah hesitate to ac cept God’s plan? Was he willful? Or was he timid ? Did he mean to say that he was a child in years or a child in expe rience, or both? V. 7. What answer did Jehovah make? Can God use a boy or a young man? Can God give wisdom and power to one who is not naturally eloquent? Can God use
“ Even So” Let us live our blessed hope, Let us prove our Advent prayer; Let us watch, and work, and live For His coming to prepare. Let us send the Gospel forth Till the world His name shall know, And the bride complete shall cry: Come, Lord Jesus, even so. “Even so,” O blessed hope! Lift our souls to things on high; Let our hearts be centered there, Hold our treasures in the skies. Let us walk as strangers here, And inscribe on all below, “Naught of earth we call our own. Christ is coming, even so.” “Even so.” Oh, let us all Haste to help that day to bring! Let us work, and watch, and pray. ; For the coming o f the King! “Even so,” the Spirit cries, And the whole creation dumb; “Even so,” the Church replies, "Even so, Lord-Jesus, come!” —A. B. Simpson.
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