Jeremiah 3

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Jeremiah Begins His Second Prophecy of Judgment

In chapter 1, Jeremiah denounced Judah for leaving her first love and forsaking the Lord who was the Fountain of Living Waters, and for turning to the broken cisterns of foreign, pagan religions. In this chapter, for what reason did Jeremiah denounce Judah?
For what reason had God withheld the latter rains from the land?
Who was the King of Judah at the time of this prophetic message of Jeremiah, and during what years did this king reign?
Judah’s “sister,” the northern kingdom of Israel, committed similar sins against the Lord. What happened to them as a result of God’s judgment for this sin?
God made clear His gracious offer to Israel to bring them back home if they would only acknowledge their sin, and Jeremiah prophesied that this will take place in the future. This restoration of Israel will lead up to what major biblical event?

In this chapter, Jeremiah denounced Judah for their spiritual prostitution, involving literal sexual immorality in foreign religions, even in the high places.
God withheld the rains in accordance with the stipulations of the Law. In Deuteronomy 28:15 we read, “. . . if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God . . . these curses will come upon you and overtake you.”
Josiah was the king at the time of this message, reigning from 627 to 609 BC.
God allowed northern Israel to be conquered by the Assyrians, with the capital of the northern kingdom, Samaria, falling in 722 BC. Many people in the capital were taken into captivity.
The restoration of Israel prophesied in this chapter will take place leading up to the Second Advent of Christ and His coming to Jerusalem.

Several points regarding the time of the future restoration of Israel are made in this chapter: Good spiritual leadership will be provided for Israel; Israel will not be concerned about the Ark of the Covenant because the Lord himself will be reigning from his throne in Jerusalem; All twelve tribes will be a part of restored Israel.
Also consider that as the godly Jews of the northern tribes migrated south to be near the temple when Israel was divided in 931 BC, so all 12 tribes went into the Babylonian captivity and returned from it. Therefore, today we find all 12 tribes represented among the Jewish people.

In spite of Israel’s many flagrant, rebellious, continuing sins, a gracious God offered His call to return to Him . . . “And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’” Recognize that God continues to offer His grace and forgiveness, a call to return to Him when iniquities are acknowledged.

“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem.” Jeremiah 3:17