Author: David McKay

Jeremiah is usually thought of as a prophet of doom and sorrow, and he did have a message of judgment to deliver which caused him deep anguish.  He had to tell the people of Judah that the nation would be conquered and the people exiled because of sin.  But the gloom was not unrelieved.  Jeremiah also had a message of restoration and forgiveness that looks forward to Christ.  He brings us the promise of the New Covenant.  In The Bible’s Covenant Story, we consider 11. Jeremiah 31:31-34 The New Covenant.

1. The need for the New Covenant

Much of Jeremiah’s preaching aimed to make the people of Judah conscious of sin.  That sin was the breach of the Sinai covenant – ‘the covenant that I made with their fathers’ (v32) – the ‘old’ covenant to which succeeding generations were bound.  God pledged himself to the nation as a ‘husband’ and gave his law as their guide for life.  Nevertheless, the nation turned away and forsook their covenant obligations, bringing God’s covenant curse upon them (Jeremiah 11:8).  A replacement for the old covenant was needed.  The fault was not in the covenant, but ‘God found fault with the people’ (Hebrews 8:8).  The written law showed the right way to live but could not change the hearts of the people (Jeremiah 13:23).  Our need for the New Covenant is just as great.  In Adam we are covenant breakers and we die ‘in Adam’ (1 Corinthians 15:22).  God’s law simply condemns us: we need a change of heart.

2. The basis of the New Covenant

Note that this is still the same Covenant of Grace, made, for example with Abraham.  Its basis is stated in v34 ‘I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more’.  It is the forgiving grace of God to undeserving sinners who could not merit such kindness.  It is a promise of grace that includes us.  God is sovereign in salvation – ‘I will make a new covenant’.  He decrees the terms and even our response is the fruit of regenerating grace.  Our sin is dealt with by Christ paying the penalty at the cross (1 Peter 2:24).  The death of Christ establishes the New Covenant: ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood’ (Luke 22:20).  Thus ‘Christ is the Mediator of a new covenant’ (Hebrews 9:15).  Forgiveness was mediated in the old Covenant through sacrifices which pointed to the future Saviour.  Entrance to the New Covenant is by the grace of God changing the heart.

3. The content of the New Covenant

In v33-34 we have a summary of covenant blessings.  The promise is of a deep personal relationship between God and forgiven sinners (v34).  Knowing the Triune God is the essence of covenant life (John 17:3).  Members of the New Covenant are adopted into the family of God.  He is a Father, loving, caring for, protecting, and disciplining.  Note the place of God’s law – I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts’.  The law is an internal principle, with the Lord giving the desire and power to obey.  This is the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:13).  Past guilt is dealt with and we are given a new orientation towards obedience (1 John 5:3).  All in the New Covenant will exercise saving faith and have the Lord’s promise of ongoing cleansing.

The exile in Babylon was a traumatic experience for the people of Judah, brought about by their own sin.  It was, however, temporary, as the Lord in grace restored many of the people to their homeland.  They returned to a devastated city.  Under Ezra the temple was rebuilt and under Nehemiah the walls were rebuilt.  The people had their identity once again and it was a time of spiritual renewal.  In Nehemiah 8 the nation gathers to hear Ezra read the law of God.  For seven days a feast is celebrated, then the people renew their covenant with the Lord.  In The Bible’s Covenant Story, we consider 10. Nehemiah 9-10 Adoration and confession.

1. Adoration of God

The prayer of 9:5-38 is offered on behalf of all the people of God.  At its centre is the Lord, the God of Israel.  The people bow in adoration of such a glorious God.  We will never be concerned about our covenant commitment unless we have a high – biblical – view of our God.  He is worthy of our wholehearted dedication.  Note:

            (i).  ‘You alone are God’ (v6).  This is the core of true faith: one true God.  Such a confession implies that this God is to be the centre of life, directing all we do.  Our lives are to be shaped by the fact that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ (Philippians 2:11).

            (ii).  You made the heavens…you give life to everything’ (v6).  The universe is God’s handiwork, showing his power and glory.  Our every breath is by his permission.

            (iii).  He is a God of grace.  That is a constant theme of the covenant, e.g. with Abraham (v7-8).  Saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we live by grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).

            (iv).  He is a forgiving God – ‘a God of pardons, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love’ (v17).  He is able to forgive because of the sacrifice of his Son (1 Peter 2:24).  We are cleansed by the blood of Christ, many times (1 John 1:9).

            (v).  He is a God who ‘keeps his covenant love’ (v32).   Though he could cast us off, for our sins, his grace keeps us in the covenant.  It is an awesome truth.

2. Confession of sin

If we have a biblical view of God, we will also have a profound sense of our sin.  We have here a frank exposure of the sins of the people (e.g. v16).  There is also a willingness to accept that their sins contribute to the sin of the nation.  We need to come often to the point of confessing our sins to the Lord – ‘you have been just, you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong’ (v33).  Measuring ourselves against the perfection of God, we see how far short we fall, and we cannot hide our sin from him (1 John 1:8).  We need his gracious forgiveness.

3. Promise of obedience

The covenant is made (9:38), and a promise of obedience is given – ‘to obey carefully’ (10:29).  The principles still apply to us as we show love by obeying the Lord (John 14:15):

            (i).  10:30 – no marriage with unbelievers (see 2 Corinthians 6:14).

            (ii).  10:31 – honouring the Sabbath, a good indicator of spiritual health.

            (iii).  110:32-39 – supporting the worship of God.  To avoid the fellowship of the Lord and his people inevitably leads to spiritual weakness and decline.

It is impossible for us in this modern world to imagine a book being entirely lost – every single copy gone.  In the world before printing, it was a real possibility.  Handwritten copies could easily be destroyed and works by some great authors have disappeared completely.  The Book of the Law (Deuteronomy?) was lost in Josiah’s day, after the reigns of two evil kings.  When it was rediscovered during renovations in the Jerusalem Temple, the effect on Josiah was powerful.  He knew what had to be done.  In The Bible’s Covenant Story, we consider 9. 2 Kings 23:3 Covenant renewal under Josiah

1. Repentance of sin

Josiah was a king who desired to serve God – ‘He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord’ (22:2), despite having an evil father (Amon) and grandfather (Manasseh).  Why was Josiah different?  The only explanation is the grace of God at work in his life.  When Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law (22:8) and it was read to the king, Josiah ‘tore his robes’ (22:11), a sign of heartfelt repentance.  He recognised his own sin and that of the nation.  This is reinforced by God’s word through Huldah the prophetess – ‘they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods’ (22:17).  To enter into covenant with the Lord we must have experienced God’s saving grace and also have felt his Word uncover our sins.  The sins of the nation of which we are a part ought also to grieve us.

2. Rededication to God

This godly king sets an example.  Stirred by the reality of judgment and the hope of mercy to the repentant, he summons a gathering of the nation’s leaders and ‘read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant’ (v2).  Together they will renew their covenant with the Lord, binding themselves to live out their obligations to God in their day, bringing their covenant commitment up to date.  Their commitment is to ‘follow the Lord and keep all his commands’ (v3).  It is to be ‘with all his heart and all his soul’ (see Deuteronomy 6:5).  Outward conformity must be accompanied by heart commitment.  Each one makes personal dedication: ‘all the people pledged themselves to the covenant’ (v3).  Our covenanting is to be a personal response to God’s grace and can be a regular rededication of ourselves to the Lord.

3. Reformation of life

Pledging faithfulness to the Lord has practical effects on our lives.  There needs to be ongoing thorough reformation, removing all that is offensive to God and contrary to his covenant law.  Thus in v4-20 we have a description of the removal of all the trappings of idolatry.  This had been done in part before, but covenant renewal gives fresh impetus.  The evidence of vile pagan practices is destroyed.  Our covenant commitment to the Lord requires nothing less.  We need ongoing reformation that gets rid of any idol, any false god replacing the Lord in our hearts.  We are always in danger of conforming to the thinking and standards of those around us.  The Lord’s call is ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed’ (Romans 12:2).  The Lord provides means of grace to strengthen us, like the Passover/Lord’s Supper (v21).  It is Christ’s strength that empowers us (Philippians 4:13).

The early years of David’s reign in Jerusalem were characterised by warfare against a range of opponents.  Battles were necessary in order to establish his authority and to secure his kingdom from external threats.  Eventually a measure of security was achieved – ‘the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him’ (2 Samuel 7:1).  He has time to think of other, deeper issues, such as the provision of a suitable resting place for the ark.   In The Bible’s Covenant Story, we consider 8. 2 Samuel 7:1-17 God’s Covenant with David

1. The Lord rejects a plan

The ark of the covenant – the symbol of the Lord’s presence with his people – sits in a tent, the tabernacle.  David wants to build a temple to house the ark that will be worthy of the Lord.  Here is a mark of David’s spiritual mindedness, showing himself to be ‘a man after my own heart’ (Acts 13:22).  It is a laudable aim, but it is not God’s will for David: ‘because you have shed much blood’ (1 Chronicles 22:8).  The defensive wars were necessary, but it is not yet time for this decisive step regarding a temple.  God also has a greater plan relating to his eternal covenant.

2. The Lord makes a covenant

This is a renewal of the Covenant of Grace with David – not Psalm 89:3 ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one’ (a poetic version of 2 Samuel 7).  The Lord promises he will be God to David and his descendants.  Instead of David building a house for the Lord, ‘the Lord himself will establish a house for you’ (v11).  A line of descendants will occupy the throne, beginning with Solomon.  He acknowledges this in 1 Kings 8:15-20.  It will be a warm covenant relationship – ‘I will be his father’ (v14).  A response of obedience is required.  Though Solomon did stray gravely, the love of the Lord remains and overcomes.

3. The Lord provides a king

What is the relevance of this to us?  The covenant promises were not fulfilled in any earthly king – all were imperfect, yet the Lord said, ‘your throne shall be established for ever’ (v16).  This points to a future eternal king and is fulfilled in the incarnate Son of God (Acts 2:30-31; Luke 1:32-33).  The Messiah is the ‘seed’ of David (v12).  He fulfils the promise of an eternal king and enters upon his reign through his death on behalf of his people (Philippians 2:8-9).  He reigns so that his people will enjoy all blessings of the covenant, to the glory of his name.

4. The Lord builds a house

More is involved in the covenant promise, all linked to the person and work of Christ.  The temple was built by Solomon (v13), but it too is to be eternal (v16, 1 Kings 8:13).  The temple symbolised the Lord’s presence among his people and is fulfilled in ‘Immanuel’ (Isaiah 7:14).  Christ spoke of his body as a temple (John 2:19) – God present in a unique way.  The final step in fulfilment is the building of the church, united to Christ crucified and risen (Ephesians 2:21).  It is a holy place where covenant obedience is rendered to the Lord by his grace.