Jeremiah 31:31-34 … “It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord.” vs. 32
Jeremiah compares the covenant between the Lord and the House of Israel to a marriage, one established by the Lord when their ancestors came out of Egypt. This covenant, sealed by the promises made at Sinai, had been broken, and now according to the terms of that covenant, the Lord, as husband, has the right to divorce Israel. In our time the parties to a marriage covenant still have that right. So when there is unfaithfulness, it’s not unusual for those who have made promises, to choose the divorce option–it’s justifiable even in the court of public opinion. Jeremiah tells us that in Israel’s case the Lord did not choose divorce–but instead established a new covenant, one based not on obedience, but on forgiveness. Anyone who has ever experienced unfaithfulness in marriage, or any other covenant relationship, knows how extraordinary and how difficult that choice to forgive can be. There are few among us who could pull it off! But that’s what happens in our relationship with God again and again. Even when we break our promises to be faithful, God, out of a deep and abiding love, continues to shower blessings in our lives with no strings attached…and that love actually changes us!
Thought for the Day: How likely would I be to forgive unfaithfulness?
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