11.01.2015 Old Testament: Jer 31.21–22

To read the Bible in a year, read Jeremiah 31–32 on November 1, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Yes, Israel angered the Lord. Yes, He sent them into captivity for it. And, yes, He would bring them back, but they had to repent of their backsliding,

“Set up signposts,
Make landmarks;
Set your heart toward the highway,
The way in which you went.
Turn back, O virgin of Israel,
Turn back to these your cities.
How long will you gad about,
O you backsliding daughter?
For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth—
A woman shall encompass a man.”
(Jeremiah 31.21–22) 

The Lord wanted them back in the land, but He also wanted them to be holy. He wanted them in the land that they might bring the Savior into the world, and that required the Land of Canaan, for the prophecies spoke of that land. Yet, Israel had to show the world that the God of heaven absolutely demands holiness of those who will follow the Savior, who is Jesus of Nazareth.