Background: (BKC) With the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. this final “curse” was completed. God had set a holy standard of conduct before the people, but because of their sinful hearts they could not keep those standards. A change was needed.
Ob and In:
1. The work that the LORD has done to make and to keep the OC:
32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I delivered them Heb “when I took them by the hand and led them out.” from Egypt. For they violated that covenant, even though I was like a faithful husband to them,” says the LORD. (NET) The best commentary on the faithfulness of God to his “husband-like” relation is seen in the book of Hosea, especially in Hos 1–3.
However hard work the LORD has done Israel violated the OC like the unfaithful wife leaving her faithful husband.
2. God did not give up in pursuing His relationship with Israel, and He knows mankind very well. To make it work it has to change.
What are new in the NC:
a. “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. (NET) The new covenant does not entail a new law; it is the same law that Jeremiah has repeatedly accused them of rejecting or ignoring (6:19; 9:13; 16:11; 26:4; 44:10). What does change is their inner commitment to keep it.(BKC) God’s New Covenant will give Israel the inner ability to obey His righteous standards and thus to enjoy His blessings.
I will be their God and they will be my people. (NET) This was their highest privilege (cf. Exod 6:7; Lev 26:12; Jer 24:7) but also their greatest responsibility (cf. Jer 7:3; 11:4). It is a formula referring to a covenant relationship in which God pledges to protect, provide, and be present with his people and they in turn promise to be loyal and obedient to him (see Deut 26:17–18; 29:10–13).
b. Know God=(NET) As mentioned in the translator’s note on 9:3 (9:2 HT) “knowing” God in covenant contexts like this involves more than just an awareness of who he is (9:23 [9:22 HT]). It involves an acknowledgment of his sovereignty and whole hearted commitment to obedience to him. This is perhaps best seen in the parallelisms in Hos 4:1; 6:6 where “the knowledge of God” is parallel with faithfulness and steadfast love and in the context of Hos 4 refers to obedience to the LORD’s commands.
3. Why will it be possible to give the NC?
v.34a “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.” (NET) The Hebrew particle כִּי (ki) that introduces this clause refers to more than just the preceding clause (i.e., that all will know the LORD) but to all of vv. 31–34a (BKC) In the Upper Room Christ announced that the New Covenant was to be inaugurated through the shedding of His blood (cf. Matt. 26:27–28; Luke 22:20). Forgiveness of sin would be part of the New Covenant only because God provided a Substitute to pay the penalty required of man.
(BKC) The covenant was inaugurated at Christ’s death (Matt. 26:27–28; Luke 22:20), and the church, by her union with Christ, is sharing in many of the spiritual blessings promised to Israel (cf. Rom. 11:11–27; Eph. 2:11–22) including the New Covenant (2 Cor. 3:6; Heb. 8:6–13; 9:15; 12:22–24). But though the church’s participation in the New Covenant is real, it is not the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise. The fact that believers today enjoy the spiritual blessings of the New Covenant (forgiveness of sins and the indwelling Holy Spirit) does not mean that spiritual and physical blessings will not be realized by Israel. That still awaits the day when Israel will acknowledge her sin and turn to the Messiah for forgiveness (Zech. 12:10–13:1)
Reflection: If I am one of the Israelites who listen to Jeremiah what will be my thought? If God did not pursue Israel, "we" cannot have relationship with Him because we all failed to obey Him. Israel should repent from "our" sins.
How about me? Do I fail God in my relationship? Do I see faithfulness of God? Do I see the continue pursuing of God to me?
How about my relationship with my husband? Do I continue to pursue him?
God put the Law in the inner part of Israel so that they will obey. First, their sin are forgiven by Jesus and therefore God can do that. God did not put His requirement of holiness in anyone or cut a new covenant with anyone before that person's heart is forgiven. Now, we can obey God, and be loyal to Him and He will protect, provide, be present with us. Now, I have the forgiveness by Jesus do I obey God? I have that ability given to me, am I using that? Do I experience the protect, provide and presence of God? To experience God one need to obey first. That's unchanged in OC to NC.
Comments