The God of Restoration
Notes
Transcript
I know I said we were going to be doing a biographical study on David, but I have really been struggling with that, and I truly fell God pointing me in another direction, and because of that I have to change my direction. I do apologize for the inconsistency of the last few messages, I believe I was putting to much of myself in them. So, today we will find ourselves in the Old Testament in the book of Jeremiah we are going to work through four chapters, chapter 30-33. I believe this text as with all of God’s word is very relevant for us today, for what is happening in our world and in our country, I also believe there is some very personal things we can learn from this.
Background on Jeremiah
Background on Jeremiah
Jeremiah was know as the weeping prophet who served as both priest and prophet. He was from the village of Anathoth, which was just Northeast of Jerusalem. Remember during King Solomon’s reign the kingdom began to have many problems due to their sins, and after Solomon’s reign ended the kingdom was divided into two kingdoms Israel in the North and Judah in the South. You can find this in 1 Kings 12:16-24. Jeremiah was priest and prophet to the kingdom of Judah. The majority of Jeremiah’s ministry was directed at Judah. It was a call to repentance for the Nation of Judah. They had fallen into some terrible sins, like child sacrifices to Molech, there was religious insincerity, dishonesty, adultery, injustice, tyranny against the helpless, and slander had become the norm. Gee any of these things sound familiar when you look at our world today, and even in our own lives. But what barbaric people offering child sacrifices. A 2022 survey found that 62% of adults in the U.S. thought that abortion should be legal. In 2021 48 states reported to the CDC 625,978 legal abortions. And according to the WHO there are 73 million abortions world wide each year. Now who is the barbaric ones. We don’t look so different from the nation of Judah do we. Well Jeremiah’s message was one of warning, and a call to repentance. He told Judah that if they did not repent and turn from their wicked ways they would face God’s judgment at the hand of the Babylonians. The texts that we are going to look at have glimpses of God’s judgement and restoration in them, because you can not have one without the other. Remember when we come to the word of God we must find it’s meaning for the original audience and them bridge the gap to our lives.
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. 3 For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it.”
As we start in on chapter 30, I want us to remember that most of Jeremiahs’s message was one of judgment. But chapters 30-33 are about restoration, and God’s blessings. This restoration comes through obedience, and repentance. We must remember that repentance means to turn away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and turn back to God. True repentance is a godly sorrow for sin. It is the act of turning around and going the other way. We need to keep this in mind as we go through the text. (1) God communicates His words to Jeremiah. (2) We begin with the command to “write in a book all the words” that God has spoken to him. God’s command here is a little different, most prophets delivered their messages orally. It is also significant that he is to write it, because what he is giving the people is prophesy, it will take place many years from the date of this writing, so it needed to be preserved for the people. (3) Verse three gives us an overview or a summary so to speak of the entire message God is giving to Jeremiah. God will restore His people, and bring them back to the land He gave them. Although Jeremiah ministered to Judah, God makes it clear that this message is for both Israel and Judah, all of God’s children. The punishment for both nations was exile and defeat at the hands of their enemies. Therefore a part of God’s promise was to bring them back home. We see a message of redemption for God’s people. Remember we find what the text ment for them and then bridge the gap to ourselves today. (God’s Judgment and future hope if there is repentance)
4 These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: 5 “Thus says the Lord: We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, and no peace. 6 Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale? 7 Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it.
Here again we see Israel and Judah linked. They would both experience God’s judgment and restoration. (5) there will be cries of terror and fear everywhere, there will be no peace. (6) Not even the strongest of men can stand, they are doubled over in pain as if giving birth. Faces turned white with fear of God’s anger ad judgment (7) “that day” often related to “The Day of the Lord” a day in this case that contains two aspects, first it is called the day of trouble for Jacob—this ties the two nations together, because Jacob also known as Israel was one of the patriarchs of the nation before they split. Here in verse 7 we see a “but” and it is a wonderful but. God points out that although they must face God’s anger and judgment there was more to come. With repentance comes the promise of redemption.
8 “And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and I will burst your bonds, and foreigners shall no more make a servant of him. 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
Verses 8 and 9 seem to break up the judgment in verses 5-7 and 10-11. These two verses give a promise of freedom from their oppressors. In the immediate context it would be the Babylonians. But there is an eschatological implication in a promise of freedom forever. (last part of verse 8). (9) they will not serve any other nations any longer, they will serve God. He will raise up David their king to rule them. This part is a truly messianic message to the people. Jeremiah is referring to the messianic king, the greater David. The true Savior of God’s people Christ. As we talked about last Sunday God reconciles His people to Himself through Christ. Even some 620 years before His birth, God was showing people His plan of redemption.
10 “Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. 11 For I am with you to save you, declares the Lord; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.
(10) The people are commanded to “fear not”, a theme repeated some 365 times throughout Scripture. They are commanded to fear not and then they are given the reason they are not to fear, because God will save them. He will save them and their offspring. They will then have no fear and live the life of ease, finding peace in God. No matter what may come one can find true and complete peace in God. (11) Again words of encouragement, I am with you and will save you (we serve a God who saves). He will bring to an end all nations, but not Israel and Judah, but they must face discipline. Hebrews 12:5-11.
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
God punishes the one He loves, just as we do our own children and grandchildren, and great grandchildren. If God is truly holy and righteous He has to punish sin.
The God of Restoration
The God of Restoration
Are we seeking to be obedient to our Lord, or are we just going through the motions. Look at what is going on in our wold today, look what is happening in our country. What do you make of it, how do you handle it, what do you do with all of it. There are many who say we are living in the last days, and they would be right to a point. The last days have been since Christ’s Ascension. Is Jesus coming back any day, who knows, only God does, and now don’t take this the wrong way, but who cares when Jesus is coming back. Now let me clarify before you run me out of town. to many people are focused on the tend times, and Christ’s return. Yes these are important, and yes they will happen, but they should not be our soul focus. Our focus should be serving our Lord and Savior day in and day out. Being obedient, and calling others to the same. Letting the world know about God’s judgment and about God’s restoration through that judgment. Calling people to repentance. Paul’s lived his life as if Christ was coming today, and so should we. With a since of urgency, mission focused on the tasks that God has given us. The verses we have looked at today had significant meaning for Israel and Judah, but there is a prophetic aspect to them as well speaking of a future time of restoration. There is punishment to bring repentance, so we will turn away from our sins and turn back to God.