In the last article we went over chapter 30 of the Book of Jeremiah. This was important to see the initial context that God gives in this prophecy about the New Covenant. It is important to remember that chapter divisions didn’t exist at the time of the original writing and when chapters were added they were added rather arbitrarily. In this particular case the prophecies and words of God concerning the New Covenant involve what we call chapters 30-33 of Jeremiah. That said, in the previous chapter we see God establish several very important points that we need to keep in mind as we continue this study. The main takeaways from that were:

• What God is going to do involves physical Israel, more specifically it is not limited to any one tribe but is stated to be for the 2 kingdoms of Israel called Efrayim/Israel (the northern kingdom) and Y’hudah (the southern kingdom). 
• That it involves the physical land of Israel that God Promised as an everlasting Covenant with Abraham.
• That this will find its fullness in the Acharit-hayamim “the end of days”

For further context please go back and read the first 2 articles as this article assumes one has read what came before as we move into chapter 31. 

Here is what Adonai says:

“The people escaping the sword found favor in the desert — I have brought Isra’el to its rest.” ^2 (3) From a distance Adonai appeared to me, [saying,] “I love you with an everlasting love;
this is why in my grace I draw you to me. ^3 (4) Once again, I will build you; you will be rebuilt, virgin of Isra’el. Once again, equipped with your tambourines, you will go out and dance with the merrymakers. ^4 (5) Once again, you will plant vineyards on the hills of Shomron, and those doing the planting will have the use of its fruit. ^5 (6) For a day will come when the watchmen
on Mount Efrayim will call, ‘Come, let’s go up to Tziyon, to Adonai our God.’”

^6 (7) For here is what Adonai says:
“Sing with joy for Ya‘akov! shout for the chief of the nations! Proclaim your praise, and say:
‘Adonai! You have saved your people, the remnant of Isra’el!’ ^7 (8) Look! I am bringing them from the land in the north, gathering them from the far ends of the earth; among them are the blind and lame, women with children, women in labor, all together, a vast throng returning here.

Jer. 31:1-7

This chapter is truly beautiful! God is bearing out His love for his people, Israel, but as we will see for the immediate context of this passage it would seem He is speaking specifically of Efrayim. Remember by the time of Jeremiah Efrayim is no longer, they have been exiled for over a century. Yet God is speaking of bringing them back, returning them to the land he promised as an eternal possession. He ends this portion of the passage saying he is their father. We need to see the heart of God in this, we can’t just read this as some archaic or esoteric script. God has a great love for his people in spite of their shortcomings and in spite of his judgements on them. This is a unique and beautiful relationship from the creator of all the universe to his covenant people. As Paul says in Romans, in reference not just to believing Jews but specifically in reference to the Jews who hadn’t accepted Messiah… 

²⁹ for God’s free gifts and his calling are irrevocable. 

Romans 11:29

Chapter 31 of Jeremiah continues:

^8 (9) They will come weeping and praying as I bring them back. I will lead them by streams of water on smooth paths, so that they won’t stumble. For I am a father to Isra’el, and Efrayim is my firstborn son.” 

^9 (10) Nations, hear the word of Adonai! Proclaim it in the coastlands far away. Say: “He who scattered Isra’el is gathering him, guarding him like a shepherd his flock.” ^10 (11) For Adonai has ransomed Ya‘akov, redeemed him from hands too strong for him. ^11 (12) They will come and sing on the heights of Tziyon, streaming to the goodness of Adonai, to the grain, the wine, the olive oil, and the young of the flock and the herd. They themselves will be like a well-watered garden,
never to languish again. ^12 (13) “Then the virgin will dance for joy, young men and old men together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, comfort and gladden them after their sorrow. ^13 (14) I will give the cohanim their fill of rich food, and my people will be satisfied with my bounty,” says Adonai.

Jeremiah 31:8-13

Over the next several verses God says this is to be proclaimed to the nations that the one who scattered Israel is gathering them back. Again, we must take note that this has yet to happen, The northern kingdom did not come back. The soon to be exiled tribes of Judah would come back, or at least a remnant of them, only to be exiled later on in 130’s A.D. by the Romans. This regathering of the northern tribes has yet to happen to the level God says here. This is as yet future still, even though in the last few decades there have been those of some of the northern tribes still in existence today that have slowly started to return to The Holy Land. Which is to say we are today nearing more and more a major fulfillment of prophecy. But it’s important to remember that this prophecy in its fullness is linked to the end of days as we saw in the previous chapter. Further, understand that God says he wants the nations (the Gentiles) to know this. Consider those who say God is done with Israel or that he isn’t still guarding them on some level. God wants you to know that isn’t true, in fact he wants you to understand the opposite. One thing to keep in the back of your mind for when we get to the next two chapters, Cohanim, the Hebrew word for Priest. We will see this elaborated on later.

^14 (15) This is what Adonai says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and bitter weeping. It is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no longer alive.” ^15 (16) This is what Adonai says: “Stop your weeping, and dry your eyes,
for your work will be rewarded,” says Adonai. “They will return from the enemy’s land;
^16 (17) so there is hope for your future,” says Adonai. “Your children will return to their own territory.

Jer. 31:14-16

God promised Rachel that her children will be brought back to the land that there is hope for them in the future. Understand, while for some who will read this, that commentary I just gave seems super obvious, but for much of Church history and still much of modern Church theology this has been taught as allegorical – its not in reference to the real land or real people this is a spiritual promise for the Church. In that framework it is understood to be an institution that replaced physical Israel with the advent of Yeshua. This completely robs the message from what we have been reading! God is giving his people at this time, hope for their future generations. Hope that God, despite the judgement that has come, will bring them back! Within the framework of replacement theology, this promise is stripped of its intended meaning.

^17 (18) “I hear Efrayim bemoaning himself:
‘You disciplined me, and I took your discipline like a young ox not used to a yoke. Let me return, and I will return, for you are Adonai, my God. ^18 (19) Yes, I turned away; but later I repented.
When I had been made to understand, I struck my thigh in shame and remorse, bearing the weight of the disgrace acquired when I was young.’ ^19 (20) “Isn’t Efrayim my very dear son, a child who delights me so? I speak about him all the time, I can’t help but recall him to mind. In sum, I deeply yearn for him; I will surely show him favor,” says Adonai. ^20 (21) Set up road signs, erect guideposts, pay attention to the highway, the path on which you traveled. Come back, virgin Isra’el, come back to these cities of yours! ^21 (22) How long will you hesitate, you unruly daughter? For Adonai has created something new on earth: a woman with the strengths of a man. ^22 (23) Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: “This expression will be used again in the land of Y’hudah and its cities after I have returned their exiles: ‘May Adonai bless you, home of justice, holy mountain!’ ^23 (24) In it will live together Y’hudah and all its cities,
the farmer and those who lead the flocks. ^24 (25) For I have satisfied the weary and filled the needs of all in distress.” ^25 (26) At this point I woke up and looked around, but I had enjoyed my sleep. ^26 (27) “Here, the days are coming,” says Adonai, when I will sow the house of Isra’el and the house of Y’hudah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. ^27 (28) At that time, just as I used to watch over them with the intent to uproot, break down, overthrow, destroy and do harm; so then I will watch over them to build and plant,” says Adonai. ^28 (29) “When those days come they will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ ^29 (30) Rather, each will die for his own sin; every one who eats sour grapes,
his own teeth will be set on edge.

Jer. 31:17-29

Do you see the beauty of this passage? Take a moment to feel the words of God, don’t just read them as some cold theological script meant only for the halls of academia. God says he holds Efrayim dearly. He speaks as if he misses him, he is conveying in human terms that he desires to have him back in his favor. And says that indeed he will show favor to him.  

After this God yet again says he will bring the exiled back to Israel and he includes Yhudah yet again. Here we will finally come to that famous passage that is referred to in the book of Hebrews. It’s important to know that whenever the writings of the Apostles refer to, allude to, or directly quote scripture, it’s assumed that the reader is aware of the broader context of what they are referring to. That is in part why we have spent the last couple articles reading what leads to this famous passage and will continue to what is after. Because the full context gives it meaning. A meaning that most Gentiles in the Church have been kept ignorant to…this can go on no longer we have no excuse, we all have the Bible at our fingertips. 

^30 (31) “Here, the days are coming,” says Adonai, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Isra’el and with the house of Y’hudah. ^31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. ^32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. ^33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”

Jer. 31:30-33

Here we see God give a name to this thing he has been saying he will do, this thing that brings about the fullness of the promises he has been making “The New Covenant”. So with all we have reviewed, look at what He says now that we have a name to this “thing”. He starts with “…the days are coming…” which is something He has said multiple times at this point when He will make a new covenant with the – Church… no… with the house of Israel and the house of Yhudah. Excuse my sarcasm, but this can’t be overstated. Who is this made with? Who has God been talking to through Jeremiah the past chapter and a half? Who has Adonai been promising to show favor to? Many of those who hold to some form of replacement theology say this is the covenant made with the Church or that changed, taken from Israel and given to the Church. Again this ruins the whole point of the promises God has been making and would cause Him to be a liar. Please understand that this is a theology that destroys the promises of God. 

God says that unlike the covenant he made with them coming out of Egypt, that he is going to do something different, he is going to put his Torah into their hearts. Almost all English translations here use the word law, which is acceptable; however, the Hebrew word being translated is Torah. This is what was given to Moses, this is what Moses said would be the effect of the circumcised heart. This is where the points about the false dichotomy of law and grace I went over in the first article comes heavily into play. God doesn’t seem to have an issue putting the two together, it is only man and his rebellious flesh that seems to have the issue. Now I know many who are reading this might want to throw the book of Galatians at me and I will happily deal with that in another article series this year. But for the moment, I will say that Paul was dealing with a very specific issue, namely the unbiblical idea that Gentiles had to be circumcised physically in order to be eligible for the blood of atonement by Yeshua. Making aspects of the law or any aspect of the law a requirement for being eligible for the blood of the lamb is not biblical. This was an incorrect theology that some of the schools of 1^st century Jewish thinking held to. Further this led to the belief that for one to be saved they must first earn it via works. For further reading on this particular topic l recommend reading my article titled “The Gospel”. Any red flags coming from a Law vs. Grace mentality or lens can be dealt with in that article in absence of the future articles dealing with Galatians and the Apostle Paul in general. Also of note is that there are some (not many at all) Laws in Torah that are specific to the Physical people of Israel (physical circumcision being one of them) and can’t be placed as a command for Gentiles at large. More on this at another time. 

As we have seen, God Himself places the Torah at the center of what He is doing in the New Covenant. The result is that no one will need to be taught to know him, for they will all know him. Let us be honest with ourselves, has this happened yet? No, it has not. Thankfully we can say that this next part has, or at least has started to begin the forgiveness of sin and the shutting out of the memory of it. If that seems confusing, I understand. There is concept in biblical prophecy that essentially states something is already in place but not fully so, something prophesied might become inaugurated but not fully made into reality until later on. You see, the New Covenant has been inaugurated, its been brought in to being but as of yet, it has not been fully established. It’s not all here yet. Remember that all God was promising, He says it comes in the end of days. Well, put simply, that is future to us at the time of this writing. With Messiah’s advent the most important pivotal and necessary parts have been completed and put into place and it is the means by which all these other promises come in the end of days with His return.

34⁽³⁵⁾ This is what Adonai says, who gives the sun as light for the day, who ordained the laws for the moon and stars to provide light for the night, who stirs up the sea until its waves roar —
Adonai-Tzva’ot is his name: ^35 (36) “If these laws leave my presence,” says Adonai, “then the offspring of Isra’el will stop being a nation in my presence forever.” ^36 (37) This is what Adonai says: “If the sky above can be measured and the foundations of the earth be fathomed, then I will reject all the offspring of Isra’el for all that they have done,” says Adonai. ^37 (38) “Look, the days are coming,” says Adonai, “when the city will be rebuilt for Adonai from the Tower of Hanan’el to the Corner Gate. ^38 (39) The measuring line will be stretched straight to Garev Hill, then turn to Go‘ah. ^39 (40) The whole valley of corpses and ashes, including all the fields as far as Vadi Kidron, and on to the corner of the Horse Gate to the east, will be separated out for Adonai; it will never be uprooted or destroyed again.”

Jer. 31:34-39

God is saying this will happen. That there is no way in which Israel will not come back, no future in which He will reject them forever. This is a promise as good as the set order of the setting and rising of the sun by the Creator of the whole universe. Further, as if to make sure no one attempted to allegorize what He has said thus far, He affirms the PHYSICAL reality of the promises he is making by anchoring them into the physical land of Israel. We will continue this in chapter 32 and 33 next time, as well as, looking to understand how Gentiles fit into this New Covenant made with the Houses of Israel and Judah. Until then, May God bless you!