Redemption & Hope

I've been truckin' through Jeremiah the last week or so, and I read a few chapters today that caught my attention. Chapters 30-34 talk about God's plan of redemption for Israel; other things are talked about, but redemption is my focus this blog. While reading through, I couldn't help but stop periodically and scramble for my blue highlighter to mark these amazing verses. The promises that God makes for the Israelites are huge! Here are the ones that stood out to me.

• I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds 30:8
• I am with you and will save you 30:11
• I will restore you to health and heal your wounds 30:17
• I will add to their numbers...I will bring them honor 30:19
• You will be my people and I will be your God 30:22
• I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people 31:1
• I will come to give rest to Israel 31:2
• I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt 31:4
• I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy 31:13
• I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts 31:33
• I will be their God and they will be my people 31:33
• I will forgive their wickendness and will remember their sins no more 31:34
• I will never stop doing good to them 32:40
• I will inspire them to fear me 32:40
• I will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul 32:40
• I will heal my people and will rebuild them as they were before 33:6

I am amazed at these promises of redemption for the Israelites. What annoyes me though about this, the Israelites heard all these promises from God, and warnings not to stray away from Him, yet at the time that Jeremiah was prophesying, the Babylonians were about the take Israel and Judah into captivity. I've thought many-a-times, 'those thick-headed people, don't they see the amazing plans God has for them? (referencing Jer. 29:11) Can't they see the chance for amazing blessings in their lives?" -> check out Jer. 32:42

Then, I began to think about my own life in comparison to the Israelites. Sure, I don't sacrifice children (Jer. 32:35) or burn incense to other gods (32:29), but I still turn away from God, I still sin. These chapters about God's plans and blessings for the Israelites make me think about God's plans for my life. Are there blessings he wants to give me, but my sinful heart is getting in way? Does God have my life going one direction, yet my selfishness leads me another way, just like the Israelites?

In chapter 31 verses 35-37, God is talking about the seriousness/realness of his promises. He says that the only way for God to reject his promises and the Israelites is if the heavens can be measured(vs.37) and the Earth can be searched out(vs.37), and if the laws of nature are destroyed(vs.35). God was not going to abandon the Israelites, despite all their flaws. And, God will not abandon us today, despite all our flaws. There is so much hope in Christ!a

"I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again." Isaiah 43:25

"For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6