It occurred to me that a bit of background for the book of Jeremiah and its application for us today might aide our praying through this week's Lent passage. So here goes:
Jeremiah's Historical Context: Jeremiah ministers 120 years after Isaiah, which means that approximately 40 years into Jeremiah's ministry Jerusalem falls and the Israelites are carried into captivity.
Context of Chapter 31 in the Book of Jeremiah: God uses Jeremiah to condemn the king's and the people's sins. He foretells of the Babylonian exile and THEN this passage of the new covenant is spoken to give the people comfort: God is sovereign (in charge) and He is promising restoration. Think of the hope that Jesus gives; for as Paul says in Ephesians 2.1-10 (especially vs.4, 5) it was when we were dead in our sin that Christ revealed Himself to us.
Context of verses 31.-34 within Jeremiah 31: In God's provision He is returning His people from exile. Even in the midst of pain (vs. 15) the Lord is still working. This parallel could not be more clear and applicable to us today: Jesus is working and always calling us into deeper relationship with Himself, no matter where we are in our circumstances.
Context of Our Lent Study: Remember that Ezekiel 36 mentions that the Holy Spirit is doing the work, Hebrews 10 centers the work, very clearly, on Jesus and here we see the label of the "new convent" put on that work of God!
Blessed Praying!
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