Knowing the Relational God
Jeramiah 31:31-34
- The God of ______
Jeremiah 31:31-32
- The God who ______the ______on ______
Jeremiah 31:33
- The God who is ______
Jeremiah 31:34
Reflection Questions:
This text appears in a section of Jeremiah that is sometimes identified as the “Book of Comfort,” Jeremiah 30–31. What is comforting about this text? How does Jer. 31:31-34 relate to the broader context of Jer. 30–31? How does it relate to the broader context of Jeremiah as a whole? What does this comforting aspect reveal about God?
God says here that he will make a new covenant. This text is often appropriated by Christians as an indication of the covenant of Christ (Luke 22:20). This is sometimes framed as Old Testament and New Testament with the understanding that the Old applies to ancient Israelites/Jews and the New applies to Christians. But this is not what is in view in Jeremiah’s message. This new covenant is made with the house of Israel and Judah. The locus of Jeremiah’s message is the Babylonian exile. The focus of this covenant in Jeremiah’s message is the renewed relationship between God and his people coming out of exile. So, what message is there for Christians in this text? Ultimately, the new covenant is fulfilled in Christ. How does Jesus establish a new way of relating to God?
Covenant is not something our culture is familiar with. It is often compared to a contract. In some ways this is accurate. Covenants between human beings share some commonalities with modern contracts. But covenant is more nuanced than contract. Covenant is relational and binding. Divine covenants are often one sided, non-negotiable relational agreements. In Jeremiah 31:31–34, Israel has broken the relationship God had previously established with them after the exodus (Exod. 34:8ff) resulting in exile and God is reestablishing that relationship and reframing the terms of it. What does this reveal about God and his commitment to his people?
Jeremiah 31:31–34 is not the first scriptural reference to the word or Torah of God being written on the hearts of God’s people. How does Jeremiah 31:31–34 compare to texts like Deuteronomy 6:6 and 32:46?
In Hosea and Jeremiah, “knowledge of Yahweh” has two connotations. First, it refers to connection to the life giving, identity framing history of Yahweh’s salvation for the Israel. Second, it refers to acknowledging Yahweh as the sovereign of God of all creation and obedience to his commands. Jeremiah 22:15-17 equates Justice and Righteousness with knowing Yahweh. Kings, and all others who have the opportunity for justice and righteousness, who do not carry out justice and righteousness do not have knowledge of Yahweh. The new covenant will be made with people who have this knowledge. Knowing Yahweh will not be limited to prophets, priests, and kings. In conjunction with Jer. 31:30, this points toward an understanding of personal piety. What does this reveal about God? How does this apply to Christians? What NT texts point to this kind of knowledge of God?
Lyle HinsdaleMorning 3/18/2018