Jeremiah 31:27-40

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Promise of a New Covenant

Here in Jeremiah 31, the Lord said He would make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. In the New Testament, Paul made it clear that the “new covenant” is made with all believers (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; and throughout the book of Hebrews). How do you explain this apparent inconsistency?
In the New Testament, the covenant was not only called the “new” covenant, but is also referred to as a __________ covenant, or as the __________ covenant.
The promise of the New Covenant was given to Israel, and it will be fulfilled with the literal descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when the Lord returns. Identify one of the blessings of the New Covenant given in verses 31-34 of this chapter. Has this blessing been extended to the Church today?

While the Lord commits Himself to keeping His promises with the people to whom He made His unconditional covenants, He is not bound or restrained from extending the benefits (or blessings) of His covenants to anyone He may choose. The New Testament scriptures noted in question 1 make it clear that God has chosen to extend the blessings to the Church today. However, out of the present secular nation of Israel, a group of godly Jewish people will not only return to the land, but will be restored to the Lord. It is with this godly remnant (mentioned as “all Israel” in Romans 11:26) that the Lord will fulfill the promise of His new covenant with them, and they will then receive its blessings.
The new covenant is referred to as a better covenant in Hebrews 7:22, and as the eternal covenant in Hebrews 13:20.
One of the blessings of the new covenant extended to the Church today is found in verse 33 of chapter 31: “After those days”, says the Lord, “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts: and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

The prophecy of the spiritual restoration of all Israel has not yet taken place and is certainly not being fulfilled in the Church today. Discuss your observations of Israel and of the Church which would support this statement.

In Jeremiah 31, can you see the evidence of the love of God for His people, the nation of Israel? Do you have a similar concern and love for Israel, from whom the Jewish remnant will come? Are you faithful in praying for them?

“No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” says the Lord. “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34