Jer 31:31-40 | KingComments | STEP | are about the new covenant: 1. The time of the covenant ( ) – “days are coming” 2. The Maker of the covenant ( ) – “the LORD” 3. The name of the covenant ( ) – “new covenant” 4. The parties of the covenant ( ) – “the LORD”, “the house of Israel” and “the house of Judah” 5. A different covenant ( ) – “not like the covenant” of old, the first covenant, based on merit and works 6. The place of the covenant ( ) – “within them and on their heart” 7. The immutability of the covenant ( ) – as immutable as the fixed cycle of nature 8. The tangible aspects of the covenant ( ) – Jerusalem rebuilt in holiness and permanence 9. The surety of the covenant – “says the LORD” (nine times). This section does represent a highlight in Jeremiah’s teaching. It begins with the attention-grabbing word “behold” ( ). The words “days are coming” Jeremiah has used before. They place the prophecy in Messianic times, in the day of the LORD, the period to which the history of the people end up (cf. ). In the days to come, the LORD will make a new covenant with the two houses of Israel. The parties of the covenant are the LORD, the house of Israel and the house of Judah. We see here that the covenant recalls the tearing of the people into two kingdoms, but we also see that it includes both parts of the people. The entire covenant is for the whole people. Therefore, the new covenant, like the old covenant, will be made with God’s chosen earthly people. It cannot be made with the church, simply because there is no former (old) covenant made with the church. Nor can it be made because the church did not exist at all in the Old Testament. At the same time, this new covenant is a quite different covenant. It is not like the old covenant that He made with their fathers at Sinai, after He delivered them from Egypt ( ). Attached to that old covenant are also conditions to which the people committed themselves. They are, as it were, marriage conditions, for the LORD has married them and shown them His love. However, the people have broken their promises of faithfulness and thus the promised blessing was forfeited. The new covenant is of a quite different character ( ). It is not better because the old one is bad, but because it is based on better promises. The old covenant depends on man’s obedience. The new covenant is a one-sided covenant with only conditions or promises on God’s side. In addition, He can fulfill His conditions by virtue of the blood of His Son, through which sins committed under the old covenant can be forgiven ( ; ; ). The Lord Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant. He has secured the blessings of the new covenant through His death ( ). He will also enable them to fulfill what He asks of them, for He gives His law in their innermost being and writes it on their heart. They will fulfill His will with full consent and completely. Then He will be their God and they will be His people. The relationship is made right by the faithfulness of God, a relationship based on the blood of the new covenant ( ; ). They will no longer need to exhort one another to be faithful to the LORD ( ). The prophets are no longer needed. Teaching in the law is also no longer necessary, for they all have knowledge of the LORD and His will. Knowing the Lord Jesus is the starting point for getting to know Him better, to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” ( ). We may pray that we be given “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” ( ). In their relationship to the LORD, what had hindered that relationship was removed: their iniquities and their sins. This is also a cause for us to surrender ourselves completely to the will of God and live for Him. If we love Him, we will live for Him and keep His commandments and His word ( ).

‏ Jeremiah 31:31-40

A New Covenant

Jer 31:31-40 are about the new covenant:

1. The time of the covenant (Jer 31:31) – “days are coming”

2. The Maker of the covenant (Jer 31:31) – “the LORD”

3. The name of the covenant (Jer 31:31) – “new covenant”

4. The parties of the covenant (Jer 31:31) – “the LORD”, “the house of Israel” and “the house of Judah”

5. A different covenant (Jer 31:32) – “not like the covenant” of old, the first covenant, based on merit and works

6. The place of the covenant (Jer 31:33-34) – “within them and on their heart”

7. The immutability of the covenant (Jer 31:35-37) – as immutable as the fixed cycle of nature

8. The tangible aspects of the covenant (Jer 31:38-40) – Jerusalem rebuilt in holiness and permanence

9. The surety of the covenant – “says the LORD” (nine times).

This section does represent a highlight in Jeremiah’s teaching. It begins with the attention-grabbing word “behold” (Jer 31:31). The words “days are coming” Jeremiah has used before. They place the prophecy in Messianic times, in the day of the LORD, the period to which the history of the people end up (cf. Jer 31:27).

In the days to come, the LORD will make a new covenant with the two houses of Israel. The parties of the covenant are the LORD, the house of Israel and the house of Judah. We see here that the covenant recalls the tearing of the people into two kingdoms, but we also see that it includes both parts of the people. The entire covenant is for the whole people. Therefore, the new covenant, like the old covenant, will be made with God’s chosen earthly people. It cannot be made with the church, simply because there is no former (old) covenant made with the church. Nor can it be made because the church did not exist at all in the Old Testament.

At the same time, this new covenant is a quite different covenant. It is not like the old covenant that He made with their fathers at Sinai, after He delivered them from Egypt (Jer 31:32). Attached to that old covenant are also conditions to which the people committed themselves. They are, as it were, marriage conditions, for the LORD has married them and shown them His love. However, the people have broken their promises of faithfulness and thus the promised blessing was forfeited.

The new covenant is of a quite different character (Jer 31:33). It is not better because the old one is bad, but because it is based on better promises. The old covenant depends on man’s obedience. The new covenant is a one-sided covenant with only conditions or promises on God’s side. In addition, He can fulfill His conditions by virtue of the blood of His Son, through which sins committed under the old covenant can be forgiven (Mt 26:27-28; Lk 22:20; Heb 8:12). The Lord Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant. He has secured the blessings of the new covenant through His death (Heb 9:15).

He will also enable them to fulfill what He asks of them, for He gives His law in their innermost being and writes it on their heart. They will fulfill His will with full consent and completely. Then He will be their God and they will be His people. The relationship is made right by the faithfulness of God, a relationship based on the blood of the new covenant (2Cor 3:1-18; Heb 8:1-13).

They will no longer need to exhort one another to be faithful to the LORD (Jer 31:34). The prophets are no longer needed. Teaching in the law is also no longer necessary, for they all have knowledge of the LORD and His will. Knowing the Lord Jesus is the starting point for getting to know Him better, to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10). We may pray that we be given “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:17).

In their relationship to the LORD, what had hindered that relationship was removed: their iniquities and their sins. This is also a cause for us to surrender ourselves completely to the will of God and live for Him. If we love Him, we will live for Him and keep His commandments and His word (Jn 14:21 ; 23).

Israel Remains Forever

The LORD confirms all the previous promises with the strongest pledges. He points to the fixed order in the creation of sun, moon and stars, to which no power can change anything (Jer 31:35). He also stands behind the roaring of the waves of the sea which also no man can tame. His Name is “LORD of hosts”.

Just as the ordinances He instituted for His creative work will never depart from before Him, so the posterity of Israel will never cease to be a people before Him (Jer 31:36). He adds, “forever” which is literally “all the days”. Every day He will be there for His people, just as He cares for His creation every day. He had to hide His face from them for some time, but that time is gone forever.

To establish even more strongly His covenant with His people, He points to the immensity of heaven above and the impossibility to search out the foundations of the earth below (Jer 31:37). It is reminiscent of Paul’s praise of God’s actions in restoring Israel (Rom 11:33-36). All that the people have done has not been able to change His mind regarding His purpose to bless them. The way in which He has acted in this regard is eternally worthy of our worship. His righteousness and mercy have been fully vindicated by what Christ has done. To Him be the glory forever!

In the days to come, Jerusalem will be rebuilt (Jer 31:38). She will then be before the LORD. The circumference of the city will be measured (Jer 31:39), reminiscent of the measuring of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:15). Measuring means establishing ownership. There will also be an area with remembrance of the judgments (Jer 31:40). That area will be set apart for the LORD. Everything outside of it will be kept by Him. Never again will any of it be torn away or broken down. When He rules, there will be complete peace and security.