Study From the Book of Jeremiah,3

Study From the Book of Jeremiah,3

Today is the third part of this series, where we are studying chapter 3 and as usual, we pick up two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in biblical counselling. 

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 forbids a man to remarry his divorced wife if she has remarried and been divorced in the meantime.  The implication is that the woman has been defiled by the second marriage.

After forsaking God, Israel had taken many other lovers-that is the nation worshipped many other gods. Yet the Lord in His mercy still extended His loving hand to His unfaithful bride, if she repented and returned from her ways.

Adultery is forbidden in the Ten Commandments, the heart of the covenant. Because of Israel’s adultery, the Lord presented her with a certificate of divorce. As a consequence, in 722 B.C. Israel was taken captive by Assyria, and Samaria was destroyed. Judah looked on but did not learn from Israel’s example.

However, the restoration and reunification of Israel would be brought about by God Himself in the future as God would bring back His people and bless them in the land of promise, under the Lord’s chosen Shephard- the Messiah.

Structure:

Verses 1-5: Israel is shameless.

Verses 6-25: a call to repentance.

Principle 5, verse 3:1 “---.you have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return to Me, says the Lord"

Lesson 5: Despite our sin, despite our rebellion, despite our tendency to wander, God still wants to build a strong and loving relationship with us. Wherever you have been, He calls to you: “come home.”

Principle 6, verse 3:12: --“--- ‘Return, backsliding Israel’, says the Lord ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful’ says the Lord.”

Lesson 6: God does not want to reflect His wrath upon us, but instead wants to show us His mercy. He makes it possible for us to return to Him and to get to know Him as friend and Saviour, not as Judge.10/12/2023.