Jeremias 31

Jeremias 31

Barnes writes "Israel has long ceased to be a nation (Ed: Note that Barnes died before May, 1948 - one wonders if he would retract his statement?), but it still exists as a numerous, influential, and distinct people. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jeremiah‘s prophecy receives its Christian application, and Israel becomes the Church, with the promise of perpetual existence. It has no national existence (Ed: Again we refer the reader to May, 1948 when the nation was reborn but even more to a Literal Interpretation of Jer 31:36!), but its members ought to be a strongly marked people, refusing to be merged in the world, while everywhere they pervade and influence it." Another older commentator Keil writes "“From being a nation before me” declares not merely the continuance of Israel as a nation, so that they shall not disappear from the earth, just as so many others perish in the course of ages, but also their continuance before Jahveh, i.e., as His chosen people; cf. Jer 30:20.—This positive promise regarding the continuance of Israel is confirmed by a second simile, in Jer 31:37, which declares the impossibility of rejection." (Bolding added) On the other hand a modern commentator Andrew Dearman in the NIV Application Commentary writes "the church has inherited the promises made to Israel" so be aware of this author's beliefs if you choose to read this commentary. He does not believe Israel will be a nation again. One wonders how he explains the supernatural emergence of the nation of Israel in May, 1948! Pamela Scalise writes "This same God, the LORD of Hosts, will preserve Israel’s continuing existence as a nation....They will have not only a spiritual identity as the LORD’s people (עם, Jer 31:33) but a national existence also (גוי, Jer 31:36). (Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 27, Jeremiah 26-52- Gerald L. Keown, Pamela J. Scalise, Thomas G. Smothers - note Scalise prepared the material for Jer 26-34) (Bolding added) Notice how MacKay refuses to take the nation of Israel literally in his comments on this passage - "Wherever those who are of the faith of Abraham are now found living in the covenant community which is Christ’s church upon earth, there the nation of the faithful is to be found, for they truly are those who are ‘before me’." (Jeremiah an Introduction and Commentary). Comment - It is interesting that MacKay does "stumble" a bit on Jeremiah's use of the term "nation" writing "The use of the political term ‘nation’ (gôy) and not the kinship term am, ‘people’, raises the question as to the extent to which this statement relates to the perpetuity of a Jewish state." Yes, indeed, it does raise the question of the perpetuity of a Jewish state. In fact, it substantiates this as a literal Biblical truth. If one replaces Israel with the Church, they are forced to ignore a literal reading of the Biblical text as we see with MacKay. Personally, I think this is akin to intellectual dishonesty (just my opinion). Jeremiah 31:37 Thus says the LORD, "If the heavens above can be measured And the foundations of the earth searched out below, Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel For all that they have done," declares the LORD. MEASURING OF CREATION ASSURES ISRAEL'S CONTINUANCE LXE Though the sky should be raised to a greater height, saith the Lord, and though the ground of the earth should be sunk lower beneath, yet I will not cast off the family of Israel, saith the Lord, for all that they have done. KJV Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. NET The LORD says, "I will not reject all the descendants of Israel because of all that they have done. That could only happen if the heavens above could be measured or the foundations of the earth below could all be explored," says the LORD. ESV Thus says the LORD: "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD." NIV This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the LORD. NLT This is what the LORD says: "Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken! If the heavens above can be measured - Only the omniscient God knows the extent of the heavens. This knowledge is simply beyond the the reach of any human endeavor however ingenious, even beyond space probes. As Christopher Wright asks "What is more unimaginable than measuring the height of the sky or the depth of the earth? That’s how unthinkable it is that God could reject ‘the seed of Israel’ (Jer 31:37). If the exiles had fears that they would die out in Babylon, God here refutes such fear in the strongest possible terms. The people of Israel would survive. Generations of Israelites had indeed rejected God, to the point where he had declared the present generation ‘rejected’: ‘for the LORD has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath’ (Jer 7:29). But this did not constitute a rejection of all their posterity....Israel’s future is as guaranteed as the future of earth itself." And so, God decisively answers the plaintive anxiety of the question posed in Jer 14:19, ‘Have you rejected Judah completely?’ Answer: In this generation? Yes. Forever? No." (The Message of Jeremiah - Bible Speaks Today - Christopher J. H. Wright) (Bolding added) Scalise adds here we see "A second impossible condition indicates the permanence of the LORD’s choice of Israel’s offspring. Only God can measure the heavens (Isa 40:12), and humans cannot explore the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4–7)." (Ibid) (Bolding added) Temper Longman - A similar oracle follows which also connects creation to God’s commitment to Israel. God will not reject Israel as long as the heavens remain unmeasured and the foundations of the earth be searched out. The point is that that moment will never come. God makes such a statement in spite of the fact that he is aware of their rebellion. All that they have done is surely a reference to their sin. Even so, God will remain committed to Israel. (Jeremiah, Lamentations- Tremper III Longman) (Bolding added) Cast off (reject, despise) (03988)(ma'as) means to reject, to despise, to abhor, to refuse. The primary idea is to treat as loathsome (that which is repulsive, detestable, causing disgust). The first use in Lev 26:15 (Lev 26:43 - Lxx = prosochthizo = to be offended, very upset over something someone has done) is of Israel who is warned not to "reject My statutes." And yet later God says "when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God." (Lev 26:44) Ma'as is used of men rejecting God's law, ordinances or statutes (2Ki 17:15, Lev 26:15, 43, Isa 5:24, Ezek 5:6, 20:13, 16, 24, Amos 2:4. Saul rejected God's word - 1Sa 15:26. Isa 30:12, cp Hos 4:6), of rejecting Him (Nu 11:20 = Lxx = apeitheo - disobeyed, 1Sa 10:19), the promised land by the first generation (Nu 14:31, cp Ps 106:23). God told Samuel "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." (1Sa 8:7) 2Ki 17:20 says Jehovah "rejected all the descendants of Israel." (cp Hos 9:17) Used of Jehovah saying He would "cast off Jerusalem." (2Ki 23:27 contrast Jer 31:38-40) We are not to "despise the discipline of the Almighty." (Job 5:17, Pr 3:11, 15:32) After Job sees God, he says "therefore I retract and I repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:6) Used of a reprobate (Ps 15:4). In a clear Messianic prophecy Psalms 118:22 = "The stone which the builders rejected (apodokimazo - regard as unworthy after testing) Has become the chief corner stone." Evil should be refused or rejected (Isa 7:15, 16). Used 10/67 times in Jeremiah - Jer 2:37; 4:30; 6:19, 30; 7:29; 8:9; Jer 14:19; 31:37; Jer 33:24, 26 There is considerable irony in the use of this Hebrew word ma'as in Jeremiah. It is used to describe the people who had "cast off" (rejected) God's law (Jer 6:19) and the "word of the LORD" (Jer 8:9). It is used 3 times of Jehovah rejecting the people (Jer 6:30; 7:29; 33:24). Here in Jer 31:37 and in Jer 33:26 Jehovah uses the same word (ma'as) declaring He will never reject (cast off) them! How great and everlasting are His lovingkindnesses! And just as Israel "deserved" to be cast off, all of us deserved to be cast into the Lake of Fire, were not it for His divine intervention in our life to bring us into the everlasting new covenant of grace! Glory to God in the highest! Ma'as translated in NAS as - abhorred(1), cast them away(1), cast away(1), cast off(2), completely rejected(1), despise(6), despised(4), despises(2), despising(1), disdained(1), refuse(2), reject(8), rejected(37), rejects(1), reprobate(1), retract(1), utterly rejected(1), waste away(1). Ma'as - 67v - Lev 26:15, 43-44; Num 11:20; 14:31; Jdg 9:38; 1 Sam 8:7; 10:19; 15:23, 26; 16:1, 7; 2Kgs 17:15, 20; 23:27; Job 5:17; 7:16; 8:20; 9:21; 10:3; 19:18; 30:1; 31:13; 34:33; 36:5; 42:6; Ps 15:4; 36:4; 53:5; 78:59, 67; 89:38; 106:24; 118:22; Prov 3:11; 15:32; Isa 5:24; 7:15f; 8:6; 30:12; 31:7; 33:8, 15; 41:9; 54:6; Jer 2:37; 4:30; 6:19, 30; 7:29; 8:9; 14:19; 31:37; 33:24, 26; Lam 5:22; Ezek 5:6; 20:13, 16, 24; 21:10, 13; Hos 4:6; 9:17; Amos 2:4; 5:21 In Jer 31:37 ma'as is translated in the Lxx by the verb apodokimazo meaning to throw out as the result of testing (it does not pass the test). I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel ("I will not reject all the descendants of Israel") - Of course the reasoning is that in view of the fact that the heavens cannot be measured, etc, it follows that God will not cast off the offspring of Israel. and in the preceding verse (Jer 31:36) offspring of Israel is clearly coupled with being a nation. In essence, God is saying the Nation of Israel will exist forever! J A Thompson comments that this "saying is based on a different figure (Ed: different then Jer 31:36) but amounts to the same thing. No one (in those days) could measure the heaven above or explore earth’s foundations. No more could Yahweh cast off (“refuse, spurn,” mā'as) the whole people of Israel. He had done too much in past days for His people for all His work to be wasted. There is no compelling reason to deny these verses to Jeremiah (Ed: Amen to that last statement!)." (A Book of Jeremiah The New International Commentary on the Old Testament) (Bolding added) R K Harrison is a bit less definitive in his comment on the continuance of the nationhood of Israel writing that "God’s immutability is reflected by the fixed order of the heavenly bodies. Only the Creator of the cosmos could give such a firm undertaking as that which follows. Divine love for wayward Israel is a striking and consistent theme in the prophecy." (Jeremiah & Lamentations Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries) (Bolding added). The ESV Study Bible note is interesting and somewhat subtle - "The full extent of creation is unfathomable, and it is equally unfathomable that God would cast off the Israel of this new covenant." Is that really what the text says literally? It is not "the Israel" but it is the offspring of Israel and in the preceding verse the clear conclusion of the argument is that "the offspring of Israel also will (not) cease from being a nation before Me forever." So the ESV note assiduously avoids acknowledging Jehovah's personal affirmation and assurance that Israel will be a nation forever! If one is honest to the text and context, it impossible to avoid this conclusion (unless it disturbs one's systematic theological persuasion), so it is best to pass over it and not comment! Jeremiah 31:38 "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. REBUILT CITY OF JERUSALEM LXE Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Anameel to the gate of the corner. KJV Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. NET "Indeed a time is coming," says the LORD, "when the city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt as my special city. It will be built from the Tower of Hananel westward to the Corner Gate. ESV "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the city shall be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. NIV "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when this city will be rebuilt for me from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. NLT "The day is coming," says the LORD, "when all Jerusalem will be rebuilt for me, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. As you study this last section Jer 31:38-40, keep in mind that it delineates three major prophetic aspects concerning the city (Jerusalem) - One thing is clear from the text (if one lets the text say what it says) is that God guarantees Israel's indestructibility. (1) The city will be rebuilt and enlarged (careful analysis of the boundary markers indicate a city considerably larger than any in past Biblical history). Dennis Swanson points out - After Jeremiah’s time the city was rebuilt, under Nehemiah and then later enlarged (especially the temple area) under the auspices of Herod the Great. However, it was never enlarged to the extent that Jeremiah’s prophecy expects, and has not been enlarged to that extent up to the present time. (2) The city will be sanctified ("holy to the LORD") This has not been fulfilled to date. (3) The city will be immune from destruction forever. The historical fact is that Jerusalem has been destroyed several times, even after the rebuilding of Nehemiah. John Butler alliterates Jer 31:38-40 - The Sureness of the City, the Size of the City and the Sanctification of the City. WHY THE REBUILT JERUSALEM IS NOT THE HEAVENLY NEW JERUSALEM At the outset of this controversial section (controversial if not read literally) I would posit that one of the strongest arguments for taking Jeremiah's description of the rebuilt Jerusalem (Jer 31:38-40) literally is by comparing it with Zechariah's prophecy of the city of Jerusalem in Zech 14:8-21. Zechariah describes a secure Jerusalem which other nations are to go up to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. This section is very difficult to spiritualize or allegorize into a description of the heavenly New Jerusalem. Pray and read the description in Zech 14:8-21 asking God to show you the truth revealed in these passages! In comparing the descriptions of Jeremiah and Zechariah (see table below) notice that some of the same "boundary marks" of the city are mentioned in both descriptions which has to be more than coincidence (tower of Hananel - Jer 31:38 and Zech 14:10 [only 2 other times in OT - Neh 3:1, 12:39], Corner Gate = Jer 31:38, Zech 14:10) as well as the specific description "holy to the LORD" (Jer 31:40, Zech 14:20-21). Notice that the uses of Corner Gate (only 3 other times - 2Ki 14:13, 2Chr 25:23, 26:9) and Tower of Hananel (only 2 other times - Neh 3:1, 12:39) are very literal places in the few other OT passages in which they are found! There is simply no justification for now choosing to interpret them as figurative in Jeremiah and Zechariah! And if these descriptions are not interpreted literally, they must be spiritualized and most commentators who take this latter approach say this is a description of the New Jerusalem. First, I would argue that this Jerusalem is to be rebuilt, whereas the New Jerusalem is created. While you might say this is semantics, there is a subtle difference. Second, if God meant Jeremiah's description of the New Jerusalem, then why would He give such very specific boundary markers for the rebuilt Jerusalem. That would seem to be superfluous if this was meant to be a description of the heavenly New Jerusalem! Third, the description of the New Jerusalem does not even remotely fit with Jeremiah's detailed description of the rebuilt Jerusalem. In fact Jeremiah names 2 of the gates (Jer 31:38 = Corner Gate, Jer 31:40 = Horse Gate [3x - 2Chr 23:15, Neh 3:28, Jer 31:40]) whereas John says there are 12 gates "and names were written on them, which are those of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel." (Rev 21:12-13). If one surveys the OT, at no time is Jerusalem described to have 12 gates. In fact a careful examination will glean at least 20 or more named gates (see addendum at bottom of this page)! I would therefore submit that based on the evidence of Scripture, the rebuilt Jerusalem is not synonymous with the New Jerusalem. DESCRIPTION OF JERUSALEM IN THE FUTURE Jeremiah 31:38-40 Zechariah 14:8-21 Tower of Hananel - Jer 31:38 Tower of Hananel - Zech 14:10 Corner Gate - Jer 31:38 Corner Gate - Zech 14:10 Holy to the LORD - Jer 31:40 Holy to the LORD - Zech 14:20-21 Behold (02009)(hinneh) directs the reader's mind to the text, imploring him to pay special attention. In short, the Spirit is trying to arrest our attention!