Jeremiah 31 (résumé): A New Covenant

Jeremiah 31 is a famous chapter promising a new covenant and restoration for God's people. Initially God says: "I have loved you with an everlasting love... I will build you up again... you will go out and dance with the joyful". God then promises the return of the exiles including the lame, the blind and expectant mothers. Then it's mentioned about "Rachel weeping for her children" (Joseph and Benjamin) but says "there is hope for your future... your children will return to their own land". Then God says through Jeremiah: "I will make a new covenant with Israel and Judah... and I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts... and I will remember their sins no more... and Israel will never cease to be a nation". Then the chapter concludes promising the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

World Cup (3)

I watched England draw with Ghana 0 x 0 and it was a very boring game. England had 78.8% possession but couldn't transform that into goals. Ghana, whose manager is one of the most negative defence minded in the game, achieved their objective of a draw. Against Panama they nipped a 1 x 0 winner in the 95th minute so I'm thankful that didn't happen against us. Now onto Panama next Saturday.

Last night I completed chapter 30 of Jeremiah so that's 22 to go!

Jeremiah 30 (résumé): Restoration of Israel

Chapters 30 to 33 of Jeremiah are often referred to as the 'Book of Consolation' when the Book of Jeremiah transitions from judgement to a message of hope and restoration. The text envisages the restoration of Israel and Judah, the return from Babylonian exile and the salvation of God's people. The word comes from God to Jeremiah telling him to write in a book that he will bring his people home from captivity and restore them to the land he had given to their forefathers. Jeremiah then describes a period of intense suffering like a man enduring child birth but that eventually God will deliver his people and save them. "I will break the yoke off their necks... no longer will foreigners enslave them... instead they will serve the Lord... so do not fear... I will surely save you". God goes on to admit that the situation of his people was grave and apparently incurable.... but God had dealt with his people as he had owing to their great sin... but "I will restore you to health... I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents... the city will be rebuilt... from them will come songs of thanksgiving... I will punish all who oppress them... their leader will be one of their own... so you will be my people and I will be your God".

Jeremiah 29 (résumé): A letter to the exiles

Jeremiah 29 contains a well-known letter from Jeremiah the prophet as sent to the Judean exiles now living in exile in Babylon. The letter encouraged them to settle happily into Babylon, marrying and giving in marriage, and increasing in number and not diminishing. The Jews were encouraged to go for the long haul and not to expect a quick release as they were going to be in Babylon for 7 decades. So they should build houses, settle down and plant gardens, and they were to pray for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. Jeremiah stresses that the Jews should not listen to false prophets promising a quick fix. Specific condemnations were prescribed for Ahab, Zedekiah and Shemaiah who were misleading the people. And God says clearly to his people; "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

Jeremiah 28 (résumé): The false prophet Hananiah

In Jeremiah 28 the false prophet Hananiah took off the yoke from Jeremiah and broke it saying that this was what God would do for Judah delivering them from Babylon within 2 years. Jeremiah reacted saying that this would be great if it happened, but said let's see if this prophecy comes to pass! Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying that in fact the wooden yoke Hananiah had broken would be replaced with an iron one to the extent that Nebuchadnezzar would control absolutely everything including the wild animals! God then predicted death for the false prophet Hananiah within the year, and in the 7th month he died. 

Jeremiah 27 (résumé): Judah to serve Nebuchadnezzar

In Jeremiah 27 God instructs Jeremiah to make and put on a wooden yoke with straps. This symbolic act was a visual prophecy that Judah, plus neighbouring nations, had to submit to the yoke of Babylon or face destruction. Word was sent to this effect to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Sidon and Judah. The people were warned not to listen to the false prophets who were saying the opposite. Thus God said: "Do not listen to them... they are prophesying lies to you... serve the king of Babylon and you will live". 

Dentist's surgery at the Care Centre

Last night I did my usual Care Centre duties taking people home from the dentist's to rural areas where there is no public transport. Another totally deaf man was attended yesterday with the help of an interpreter as the go-between him and the dentist.

I have now completed half the Book of Jeremiah having written the synopses of 26 of its 52 chapters. Thankfully Jeremiah managed to get out of being executed in chapter 26! It was no joke being a prophet in those days as if they didn't like your message they bumped you off!

I hear it's hot in the UK so let me suggest that you keep out of the sun and have 1 or 2 showers a day. 💦