Jer 31:23-34 | TNotes

31:26 ^a Evidently, either Jeremiah or his scribe had fallen asleep and was awakened with a start. His sleep was very sweet, like the rest and joy promised by the Lord (31:25 ^b).
31:27 ^c A clear indication of the Lord’s care for Israel and Judah would be their population growth and the number of animals grazing in their pastures.
31:28 ^d The future refers to the return of the exiled people to the Promised Land, whom the Lord had promised to plant and build (see 1:10 ^e).
Summary for Jer 31:29-30: 31:29-30 ^f Some seemed to think that this proverb (apparently a misinterpretation of Exod 20:5 ^g; 34:7 ^h; Num 14:18 ⁱ) meant that innocent children were dying because of their parents’ sins. The Lord made it clear that each individual is punished for his or her own sins (see Lam 5:7 ^j; Ezek 18:2-32 ^k; 33:10-20 ^l).
31:31 ^m The day of the new covenant was realized when Jesus Christ accomplished his redemptive mission on earth (see Heb 8:8-12 ⁿ).
Summary for Jer 31:32-34: 31:32-34 ^o The key difference between the new covenant and the one God made with their ancestors is that the Lord would write his instructions deep within his people’s hearts (see Heb 10:16 ^p). The old covenant was external and legal, whereas the new covenant would be a vital, person-to-person relationship. The new covenant would emphasize the redeeming, transforming change of an individual’s spiritual nature.
31:34 ^q The old covenant had to be taught (see Deut 6:4-9 ^r), but the heart of the new covenant would be an inner, personal relationship with the Lord.

• I will forgive: Each repentant believer would experience God’s forgiveness.

• I will never again remember: When sins are forgiven, they can never bring divine judgment (see Heb 10:17 ^s).

• Jesus’ death inaugurated the new covenant (see Matt 26:28 ^t; Mark 14:24 ^u; Luke 22:20 ^v; 1 Cor 11:25 ^w; 2 Cor 3:6 ^x; Heb 8 ^y; 9:15 ^z; 12:22-24 ^aa).