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Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM

Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:06 (GMT)

13 August 2008 | Jeremiah 31:27-40

Someday, Israel and Judah will be my field where my people and their livestock will grow. In the past, I took care to uproot them, to tear them down, and to destroy them. But when that day comes, I will take care to plant them and help them grow. No longer will anyone go around saying, "Sour grapes eaten by parents leave a sour taste in the mouths of their children." When that day comes, only those who eat sour grapes will get the sour taste, and only those who sin will be put to death.

The LORD said: The time will surely come when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah. It will be different from the agreement I made with their ancestors when I led them out of Egypt. Although I was their God, they broke that agreement.

Here is the new agreement that I, the LORD, will make with the people of Israel: "I will write my laws on their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they have to teach one another to obey me. I, the LORD, promise that all of them will obey me, ordinary people and rulers alike. I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done."

I am the LORD All-Powerful. I command the sun to give light each day, the moon and stars to shine at night, and ocean waves to roar. I will never forget to give those commands, and I will never let Israel stop being a nation. I, the LORD, have spoken. Can you measure the heavens? Can you explore the depths of the earth? That's how hard it would be for me to reject Israel forever, even though they have sinned. I, the LORD, have spoken.

The LORD said: Someday, Jerusalem will truly belong to me. It will be rebuilt with a boundary line running from Hananel Tower to Corner Gate. From there, the boundary will go in a straight line to Gareb Hill, then turn toward Goah. Even that disgusting Hinnom Valley will be sacred to me, and so will the eastern slopes that go down from Horse Gate into Kidron Valley. Jerusalem will never again be destroyed.

Notes

As if complete economic, social, geographical and theological regeneration weren't enough, God goes on to promise his people something even better: God will commit himself to a new way of relating to them.

Specifically this means an exclusive relationship between God and his people, so that each person, regardless of social status, can know and experience God for themselves - without the need for intermediaries. And that the impetus to do what pleases God will come from within - and not be uniquely taught and imposed by others.

Of course, we know that neither Israel nor Judah had done anything to earn this - totally the reverse! It all comes 100 per cent undeserved from the vast love of God and his complete forgiveness.

Although the generation returning from exile must have taken this promise to themselves in some measure, it's we, as Christians, who live in its fullness.

When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit makes it our 'default setting' to please God and relate to him. How accurate does that feel for your life today? Do you need to 'reset to default'?

Prayer

'All you need is love, all you need is love...'
God is love.
Take a moment to focus on God through prayer.

Today's Writer

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