Daily devotion – Israel – God’s darling!
Jeremiah 31:20 – “Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the LORD.
“I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.
In the book of Jeremiah, for 29 chapters, God details the wickedness, rebelliousness, stubbornness of Israel. Jer 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, That you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?
Twenty-nine sad chapters! Then in chapters 30-33, there is a dramatic shift in focus. On the other side of these chapters, the rest of Jeremiah deals with the judgment against the nations that have ravaged Israel.
Here in the middle of this amazing book – the pinnacle from which the whole 52 chapters can be viewed – is the book of consolation. In these 4 amazing chapters 31-33, the text that captures God’s heart and best sums up His amazing love for Israel is Jeremiah 31:20 – Jeremiah 31:20 – “Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the LORD. “I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.
For 29 chapters God has spoken against Israel, upbraiding His people, but….then…“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?”
The NIV puts it like this – Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,”
declares the LORD.
….I still remember him still….
This is not the faculty of recall being explained here about God. For God is omniscient, He is all knowing! The term REMEMBER here is what’s called covenant language.
It is relational, it is the opposite of forsaking.
…..therefore My heart yearns for him….”
The term ‘heart’ here is explained as the insides of a person, their bowels. These are God’s deepest feelings for Israel!
God’s saving us is a matter of His heart – His yearning for you!
How wonderful is our Lord’s love for each of us! We shall only fully comprehend His great live for us when we see Him face to face and declare – Revelation 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:“Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”