Promises of Deliverance (Day 47)

Read Jeremiah 30:1-24
 
   Like Isaiah, Jeremiah associated events of the near future and those of the distant future. Reading these prophecies is like looking at several mountain peaks in a range. From a distance they look as though they are next to each other, when actually they are miles apart. Jeremiah presents near and distant events as if they will all happen soon. He sees the exile, buthe sees also the future day when Christ will reign forever. The reference to David, in verse 9, is not to King David, but to his famous descendant, the Messiah (Luke 1). 
   Sin is terminal. Sinful people cannot be cured by being good or being religious. Beware of putting your confidence in useless cures while your sin spreads and causes you pain. God alone can cure the disease of sin, but you must be willing to let Him do it. 
 
   Judah protested its punishment, even though the sin that caused the pain was scandalous. But punishment is an opportunity for growth because it makes us aware of sin’s consequences. The people should have asked how they could profit from their mistakes. Remember this the next time you are corrected. 
 
   Jeremiah’s prophecy that Jerusalem would be rebuilt was not completely fulfilled by the work of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel. The city was indeed rebuilt after the captivity, but the final restoration will occur when all believers are gathered in Christ’s Kingdom. This restoration will include buildings, people, and rulers. 
 
   Jeremiah spoke of hope and consolation as well as trouble and gloom. The people would one day be restored to their land, and God would make a new covenant with them to replace the one they broke. Whereas once they sinned and disobeyed, eventually they would repent and obey.