Tues.’s Devo - The New Covenant

Read: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-8; Proverbs 25:20-22 God told Jeremiah that one day God would replenish the number of people who will be destroyed in the hear future. The people will no longer see the consequences of the sins of the parents passed down to the children. The ones who sinned would reap their own consequences. God was going to make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This would not be like the covenant he made with Moses and his people when He brought them out of Egypt. They broke that covenant. In the new covenant, God’s laws would be written on their hears - not tablets of stone. In their hearts they would know that God is their God. All of God’s people would know him from birth. In m understanding of scripture, God’s people are chosen before the foundation of the earth and so are Satan’s offspring. God’s people are given a heart that desires to know God and obey him. Satan’s offspring are given hearts to conquer and rule over God’s people and GOd’s creation. In their quest to do this they are slaves of Satan and are destined for death and destruction. The tenth year of Zedekiah’s reign was the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s rien. Jerusalem was under siege and Jeremiah had been put in stocks by Zedekiah in the courtyard of Zedekiah’s palace. The king asked Jeremiah why he kept prophesying their doom. Jeremiah said he couldn’t only answer what God said and God said that he, Zedekiah would be captured and taken to meet Nebuchadnezzar face to face. He warned Zedekiah that if he tried to escape, he would never succeed. Then God gave Jeremiah a physical sign of confirmation. God told him that his cousin Hanamel would come to him and offer to sell his land to Jeremiah. This happened and Jeremiah bought the land for 17 pieces of silver. He had the deed signed in the presence of witnesses. This was a promise that they would one day return to the land God had given to them. Jeremiah bought this land as siege ramps were being constructed against the city. The houses that used to be used to burn incense to other gods would be burned down themselves. Jeremiah gave them a list of their offenses. They would be taken to Babylon where they would repent and return with a heart to worship the Lord. Land would be bought and deeds would be signed and Israel would prosper once again. Timothy gave the requirements of the leaders, deacons, and wives. They should all live their lives as examples of how Jesus lived his life. The church was to be the pillar and foundation of the truth. Lord, may we walk in your truth and let our lives reflect Christ.