Day 9

Reminder of the Covenant



Jeremiah 10:1-25, Jeremiah 11:1-23, Proverbs 1:1-7, Hebrews 12:5-11

BY Melanie Rainer

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is my happiest place, but every once in a while my culinary ambitions do not match the contents of my cupboards, and I have to make substitutions. A little of this substituted for a little of that is usually no big deal in the world of spices and splashes, but when it comes to baking (my very favorite thing to do), substitutions can mean utter disaster.

Chemical reactions between ingredients are the key to successful bread, cookies, or just about any delicious baked thing. One of my favorite cake batters is made with a heavy dose of baking soda and, at the last minute, a big splash of vinegar. It bubbles into the oven, where it creates the loveliest, airiest cake you can imagine.

Natural law governs chemical reactions; they are always the same. Vinegar and baking soda will always bubble up. Living yeast and warm water will do the same. A splash of vinegar will sour milk, and oil and water won’t mix on their own. There are generally no substitutes for these reactions when it comes to baking. Figuratively, this is the underlying principle found in Jeremiah 10–11: There is no substitute for the steadfast, unchanging God. He can only be who He is and do what is in His nature to do.

The truth Jeremiah prophesies is always the same: The promise God made is steadfast, unchangeable, and true, because the one who promised it is steadfast, unchangeable, and true. “You will be my people, and I will be your God,” is found through the whole of Scripture: when God makes His covenant with Abram (Genesis 17), when God tells Moses to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 6), during the giving of the law (Leviticus 26), and multiple times here, within the book of Jeremiah. Paul repeats it in 2 Corinthians 6, and it appears in Revelation 21, with a definitive promise for all time: “They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God” (v.3).

This is the covenant promise that will never change. I can imagine Jeremiah weeping with desperation as he wrote the beautiful words that testify to the Lord’s sovereignty and promise:

“He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom,
and spread out the heavens by his understanding… he is the one who formed all things.
Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of Armies is his name” (Jeremiah 10:12,16).

There is no substitute for the Lord of Armies. His reactions to the sins of His people are not separate from His steadfast, unchangeable love. He’d called them to obey Him and follow His commands, which were a kindness to them, part of the covenant promise (Jeremiah 11:4). But that’s not necessarily how the Israelites saw things. When Jeremiah writes of the stiff-necked Israelites who have repeatedly turned away from God, he writes confidently of how the Lord will act “because they had not done what [He] commanded them to do” (v.8).

The book of Jeremiah shows God’s justice and love: how His perfect character demands perfect righteousness, and how His love for His people is unfailing. Jeremiah didn’t know how that promise would culminate hundreds of years later on the cross where Jesus died, taking on every ounce of God’s just anger and every molecule of God’s perfect love. It is a gift to cling to the steadfast promises of our unchanging God, who is always, perfectly, unchangingly good.

Post Comments (43)

43 thoughts on "Reminder of the Covenant"

  1. Sarah says:

    As an avid baker, I really enjoyed the analogy used in today’s lesson. There is no substitute for the one, true God.
    In today’s society where we are encouraged to speak “your truth” I am glad I know the Truth, the one, true God.

  2. Angie says:

    Glorious dependency on God.
    Open hands, laying down any hope of “fixing” things myself.
    The One God, Holy, True, Unchanging, Covenant keeping God, calls me His own.
    I have been given breath today; may it be used in obedience to You.
    Opening a simple piece of mail, and I’m struggling to draw close, struggling to have faith…
    God Almighty, Lord of Armies, cover me in your armor, and go before me in the fight, clearing the way.
    This feels overwhelming to me – and it is, BUT, NOTHING is impossible for God.
    Is this my God hunt sighting today? Is it my choice whether I will carry this burden or trust it to your care?
    Glorious dependency on God.
    I chose You.
    May your name be praised and all the glory and honor given to you.
    Amen.

    1. Kristin R says:

      Thank you for this comment today! The Lord is opening my eyes through you. I am asking these questions of myself today and praying along with you.

    2. Ashley Johnson says:

      Amen and Amen!

  3. Nichole Efird says:

    Father, I pray that my heart would be tender to your word. That You would be seen and heard in all that I do or say. I pray for my country. And that people would see a great need for You in their lives just as I did one glorious day. Thank You for being a faithful and just God.

  4. Hazel Haeuptle says:

    11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

    Thank you, Lord, for your lessons in love and allow us to give ourselves to you and open our hearts and minds to your understanding and your will. Amen.

  5. Kristen says:

    What Churchmouse wrote reminds me of a message I just heard by Tim Keller. He was explaining how David could have committed adultery and the others sins that followed. He lost his awe of God. He wasn’t ravished by God’s love. He committed spiritual adultery before the physical. How easily we can wander? I don’t want to wander. I want to give Him the glory and honor that He is due. I can be so selfish and wretched. I need Him and His help. This was a good message if you want to listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000466514592
    This message brought points I never thought of.

  6. Tricia C says:

    Yes. I too am praying for the Lord to speak to me. To remind me that if I turn it all to Him, and be grateful for all He has done and will do for me, even in these times I am facing right now. He alone is faithful and true.

  7. Hilary Voigt says:

    Father, you are who you say you are. You are the I Am. You are Faithful and True. You are steadfast and unchangeable. Thank you for sending Jesus.

  8. Churchmouse says:

    It is hard to read of God telling Jeremiah not to bother praying for Judah because their sin is so great, their rebellion so entrenched, that judgment is the only option. The judgment is most assuredly deserved and it is severe. Only this drastic move of God provides any hope of changing this stiff-necked people. The impending destruction of Jerusalem and the ensuing famine and exile to Babylon are catastrophic for God’s people. How have they fallen so far away from Him? They had lost their fear of the Lord, the awe of Who He was to then and for them. They had become self-reliant instead of God-dependent. They had fallen prey to arrogance instead of bowing before Him in humility. From the temple priests to the shepherds in the fields, they had forgotten their history. They had forgotten their deliverer. They had forgotten to Whom they owed their very existence. And so their existence would become threatened. God is the God of love and mercy. He is also not to be trifled with. He is the God of justice. He will do whatever it takes to draw back His wayward children. He is the God of tough love when need be.

    Praying today for a renewed awe of God, a fresh recalling of all that He has done for me, a humility bonded with gratitude. Lord, give me a deeper respect for Who You are.

    1. Sarah Miller says:

      May we never lose our wonder. Wide-eyed and mystified. Lord let me be just like a child. This song is on my heart. Father you are so worthy. Let me never lose my wonder.

      1. Jennifer Anapol says:

        Amen!

      2. Camille English Davis says:

        ❤️

    2. Claire B says:

      I agree it is hard and, for us, out of character. We see it from “the other side” so I suppose we are aghast at the actions of His chosen. I am ever amazed at his tolerance of them but then again, his tolerance of me.

    3. DeeDee Barfield says:

      I like your use of tough love in reference to God’s discipline of his disobedient children. That makes it seem less of a reaction of anger and more an act of love. We are learning that parenting does involve a LOT of tough love and it is NOT easy. It has taught me to see unconditional love through a different lens. It has given me a new perspective on suffering.

    4. Suzie McRae says:

      ❤️this

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