JEREMIAH LESSON 33
We will begin this lesson in Jeremiah 31:1 "At the same time,
saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and
they shall be my people."
We know that this is speaking of all the 12 tribes of Israel, but
as I have said before, Israel includes all the believers in Christ, as
well. Look, with me, in the following Scripture who becomes sons of
God. John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:" This
is a fact that all who will be His people, are His family. He will be
their God. Another way of saying this is, whosoever will. There are a
number of things that are required for Him to be our God. The first
thing is to believe. The next thing we must do, is turn our will over
to His will. We must be obedient to our God.
Jeremiah 31:2 "Thus saith the LORD, The people [which were] left
of the sword found grace in the wilderness; [even] Israel, when I went
to cause him to rest."
During the Babylonian attack, many were left that were not killed
by the sword. They were able to live in the wilderness, because of the
grace of God. It really does not matter whether the wilderness, here,
is speaking of the wilderness wanderings of Exodus from Egypt, or
whether this is speaking of the exiles who escaped capture by Babylon.
In both cases, God took care of His people in the wilderness. This is,
probably, speaking of the 10 tribes of Israel, as well as the two
tribes of Judah. We, Christians, are in our own wilderness, headed for
our own promised land. God's grace is sufficient to see us through.
God has prepared a place of rest for us. The hardships now are nothing
compared to the wonderful rest we will have with Him.
Jeremiah 31:3 "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying],
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with
lovingkindness have I drawn thee."
God's love is the agape type of love. You and I love, because of
something. God loves in spite of the fact we do not deserve to be
loved. While we were yet in sin, God sent the Saviour. God's love is
unconditional love. God's love for mankind is a mystery. His love is
just as strong for us today, as it was the day He created us. God
draws us to Him. The Holy Spirit woos us, or draws us, because God
wants to save us. This is what Jesus says about that drawing. John
6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw
him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Jeremiah 31:4 "Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built,
O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and
shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry."
The physical house of Israel had been the wife of God. The virgin
is speaking of the chaste virgin that Jesus is coming back for. The
virgin is spiritual Israel, who worships God and does not worship
false gods. II Corinthians 11:2 "For I am jealous over you with godly
jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present
[you as] a chaste virgin to Christ." We become new creatures in
Christ. It would be possible to be a spiritual virgin then. In other
words, God starts all over with them and us again. He has forgiven
them, and started all over with them. They will be happy and dance in
victory, because they are forgiven and given new lives.
Jeremiah 31:5 "Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of
Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat [them] as common
things."
Samaria was the northern kingdom. God is just saying, He will
make this a fruitful area, where they will be able to plant, and God
will grow for them to eat.
Jeremiah 31:6 "For there shall be a day, [that] the watchmen upon
the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto
the LORD our God."
The 10 tribes had broken away from the two tribes, and they had
not worshipped together after that. This is speaking of a time when
Ephraim will come back to God. Whether this is speaking of the temple,
and they are to go up at festival times; or whether they come to
Christ and His church {ZION} is uncertain. Whichever this is, they
recognize the LORD as their God. Sometimes "Ephraim" symbolizes the
Gentile believers. John 11:54 "Jesus therefore walked no more openly
among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness,
into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples."
Jeremiah 31:7 "For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for
Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise
ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel."
This remnant of Israel is spoken of many times in the Bible.
These are those who have not bowed their knee to Baal. These are those
who have not committed spiritual adultery. Those who sing with
gladness are all who love Him, both Jew and Gentile. This is like
saying, hurry and send our Saviour {Jesus}. Matthew 1:21 "And she
shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 18:11 "For the Son of
man is come to save that which was lost." Israel was chosen of God as
His favorite nation.
Jeremiah 31:8 "Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
and gather them from the coasts of the earth, [and] with them the
blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with
child together: a great company shall return thither."
The north country, here, is probably speaking of Babylon, but the
coasts of the earth speaks of many nations around the world. This just
explains that all of God's people shall return, from the weakest to
the strongest.
Jeremiah 31:9 "They shall come with weeping, and with
supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the
rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble:
for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim [is] my firstborn."
"Weeping" speaks of repentance. "Supplications" in this
particular place, means prayers or petitions. The "straight way" is
the straight and narrow path of righteousness. The "rivers of water"
speak of the Spirit of God. They will walk in the Spirit. The Light of
the Lord Jesus Christ will light their way, so they will not stumble.
When Ephraim and Manasseh were brought before their grandfather for
their patriarchal blessing, Ephraim received the spiritual blessing of
the right hand. The right hand blessing was generally given to the
first born. This was not a mistake, but a deliberate act. Jacob was
spoken of as Israel, when he blessed the boys. I believe this was
speaking of the spiritual blessing of all the believers in Christ who
receive the right hand blessing. Jacob made the sign of the cross,
when he crossed his hands to bless the boys. "Ephraim" means double
fruit. I believe, some how, Ephraim symbolized all believers, Jew and
Gentile. Israel speaks of the natural Jew as physical Israel, and
spiritual Israel as all believers in Christ.
Jeremiah 31:10 "Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and
declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel
will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock."
God scattered them, because of their unfaithfulness to Him. He
will bring them back, because they have repented of their sins, and
called out to Him again. This has to be speaking of the gathering that
is going on now, because the Jews were not scattered too far off on
islands in the time of Jeremiah. God's grace and mercy causes Him to
seek the sheep of His flock.
Jeremiah 31:11 "For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed
him from the hand of [him that was] stronger than he."
Jesus is the Redeemer of all mankind. He ransomed {purchased} us
with His shed blood. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. Satan may have
been stronger than we are, but he was not nearly as powerful as God.
He is a defeated foe.
Jeremiah 31:12 "Therefore they shall come and sing in the height
of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for
wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and
of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they
shall not sorrow any more at all."
This sounds so much like the following Scripture. Revelation 21:4
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be
no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain: for the former things are passed away." Home is very much
like heaven. These exiles have made it home. Not only home physically,
but they are back in their holy place, as well. Wheat symbolizes the
believers. The "oil" symbolizes the Holy Spirit. There is a river that
flows from deep within man. This is the water of the Spirit, which
washes the soul.
Jeremiah 31:13 "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both
young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy,
and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow."
This speaks of a time of great joy, because they have been
redeemed. This is old and young, male, and female all rejoicing
together. They are dancing in joy of their homecoming.
Jeremiah 31:14 "And I will satiate the soul of the priests with
fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the
LORD."
The word "satiate" means bathe, make drunk, fill, satisfy, water,
or soak. This just means that the priest's soul will be filled. The
people will not go looking for other gods, they will be satisfied with
the LORD.
Jeremiah 31:15 "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation, [and] bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children
refused to be comforted for her children, because they [were] not."
This is speaking of the time when Herod would kill all of the
children under two years old, trying to kill Jesus. Matthew 2:16
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were
in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and
under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the
wise men." Matthew 2:17 "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by
Jeremy the prophet, saying," Matthew 2:18 "In Rama was there a voice
heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping
[for] her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."
Verse 17 of Matthew chapter 2 leaves no doubt at all that this is the
same thing.
Jeremiah 31:16 "Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from
weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded,
saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy."
This is another Scripture that declares the fact that babies that
die, live again in the resurrection. The land of the enemy would be
death, in this instance. These babies live eternally in heaven with
God. Rachel's reward is the assurance of her children's eternal life.
Jeremiah 31:17 "And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD,
that thy children shall come again to their own border."
The hope of all who believe is of the resurrection.
Jeremiah 31:18 "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself
[thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock
unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for
thou [art] the LORD my God."
The beautiful message in this, is the helplessness of man to
change himself. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
God provides a way in Jesus Christ for all to be saved. Since we
cannot save ourselves, God did it for us in the person of Jesus.
Jeremiah 31:19 "Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and
after that I was instructed, I smote upon [my] thigh: I was ashamed,
yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth."
After God stopped him and turned him around, he repented. His
sins were a bad memory to him. The beautiful part of salvation is that
God puts our sins in the sea of forgetfulness. Our sins are abolished,
when washed in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 31:20 "[Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant
child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him
still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have
mercy upon him, saith the LORD."
Ephraim, in this, represents all who have been shown the mercy of
God and saved. The very reason that Jesus gave His body on the cross
for the sins of the world, was because He loved us. He loved us so
much, that He provided a way for all to be saved, and forgiven.
Jeremiah 33 Questions
1. Quote verse 1.
2. Who is Israel speaking of in verse 1?
3. Quote John chapter 1 verse 12.
4. What are some of the things required for Him to be our God?
5. The people who were left found grace in the ___________.
6. We Christians are in our own wilderness, headed _______ _____
____________ _______.
7. What type of love is God's love?
8. What is meant by that?
9. Quote John chapter 6 verse 44.
10. Who is the virgin in verse 4?
11. Quote 2 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 2.
12. Samaria was the ___________ kingdom.
13. What will the watchman upon mount Ephraim cry?
14. Who does "Ephraim" sometimes symbolize?
15. Quote John chapter 11 verse 54.
16. What is special about the remnant of Israel?
17. Quote Matthew chapter 1 verse 21.
18. The Son of man is come to save that which was ________.
19. What is verse 8 showing us?
20. What does "weeping" speak of?
21. "Supplication", in verse 9, means what?
22. What are the "rivers of water" speaking of?
23. What keeps Christians from stumbling?
24. What type of blessing is the right hand blessing?
25. What does "Ephraim" mean?
26. What will the gathering of God's people be like?
27. Who is the Redeemer of all mankind?
28. He ransomed us with His __________.
29. Quote Revelation chapter 21 verse 4.
30. What does the "oil" symbolize?
31. What kind of time is verse 13 speaking of?
32. What does the word "satiate" mean?
33. What time is verse 15 speaking of?
34. How do we know for sure that the Scriptures in Matthew and verse
15 are speaking of the same thing?
35. What is the hope of all believers?
36. What is the beautiful message in verse 18?
37. What is so beautiful about salvation?
38. Who does Ephraim represent in verse 20?
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