Ep. 184. Jeremiah 31,33 | Call to Me

EPISODE 184

CALL TO ME: JEREMIAH 31:33

To get a better sense of today's reading, it is helpful to know that this coincides with Nebuchadnezzar's attack on Jerusalem. "Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." The "great" and "hidden" things are the impending destruction of Jerusalem. But God will not leave the city destroyed. He will bring health to it and restore it to its former beauty. After all, he has plans to rebuild Jerusalem, as we saw in the reading yesterday related to Jeremiah 29. God will cleanse his people and forgive their sins. Now, remember that he had previously told Jeremiah not to pray for the forgiveness of the people of Judah because God was intent on destroying the city and the people therein. But after God has meted out his judgment on the rebels, he will return to the covenant he made with Abraham and cleans his sinful bride.

We often miss this in the prophets. The prophets prophesy judgment and blessing, but the blessing they promise is always AFTER the judgment of sin. God does not ignore sin. He punishes sin. He disciplines his people. Then, he rebuilds them.

It is also important to remember that the blessing promised by God here in chapter 33 won't be fulfilled until the last days. "In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David" (a reference to Jesus again), "and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. Judah will be saved in those days, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. This is the name by which the city will be called: 'The Lord our Righteousness.'" So we are reminded that the blessing is not just a physical blessing of an earthly city/kingdom but the fulfillment of the heavenly city/kingdom in and through Jesus.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 2:16-18; Hebrews 7-10; Hebrews 10:16-17; Philippians 2:10-11; Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20