Articles
Hope in the Midst of Judgment
Hope in the Midst of Judgment - Jeremiah 32
WHY would anyone buy a field when complete destruction of the country and nation is foretold? That in fact was the question the Jeremiah himself asked! God had not only foretold the destruction of the whole land but also instructed Jeremiah to then go buy some property in it! Why? Because the destruction was not the FINAL answer from God. God's purpose of redeeming mankind through the seed of Abraham was not to be thwarted by the evil of men. God's promise of an eternal king from the line of David would not be annulled by the evil of the kings. Thus God promises to restore the people in order to fulfill His purpose.
God had chosen Israel NOT because Israel was special, righteous, or so desirable as a people (reread Ezek. Ch. 16). God chose to USE them to bring about HIS purposes. The restoration of the people was not because of THEM but in order for God to fulfill His purpose of the Messiah.
Even with the promise of restoration there is the underlying qualification of holiness. God's people are to be holy (1Pet. 1:15-16; Lev. 11:44). The blessings of God are to be enjoyed in faithfulness unto God. Even when they returned the people's hearts quickly turned away. While the rampant idolatry of the earlier generations ended, the generations that follow the return struggled with faithfulness.
In spite of their struggle, God fulfills His purpose. "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1). "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law…" (Galatians 4:4).
With the coming of Jesus we see the end of the 1st covenant and the establishment of the New Covenant. (Heb. 7:12,18, 22). ALL who will can become the people of God by being disciples of Jesus (Matt. 28:18-19). In Jesus we see the fulfillment of God's purpose and plan to redeem sinful men and reestablish a loving relationship with them.
Even among those who are the physical descendants of Abraham, the choice must be made. "… in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ… And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:26-27,29).
Reading 8/22/13
