Jeremiah 31:32

“Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord.”

Context:The book of Jeremiah contains prophecies and messages from God to the people of Israel. Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet during a time of great spiritual decline and impending judgment upon Israel. In this particular passage, God speaks through Jeremiah about a new covenant that He will make with the people of Israel.

The Old Covenant:God refers to the covenant He made with the Israelites when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. This covenant was the Mosaic Covenant, which included the Ten Commandments and the laws given through Moses. It established Israel as God’s chosen people and outlined their responsibilities in keeping His commandments. However, the people of Israel repeatedly broke this covenant by turning to idols and disobeying God’s laws.

A Broken Covenant:God acknowledges that the people of Israel broke the covenant despite His faithfulness to them. Despite their unfaithfulness, God remained committed to His people and continued to care for them. The reference to God as a “husband” indicates His deep love and commitment to Israel as a faithful spouse.

The Promise of a New Covenant:In the following verses (Jeremiah 31:33-34), God declares His intention to establish a new covenant with His people. This new covenant would be different from the Mosaic Covenant in that it would be written on their hearts, not on tablets of stone. It would involve a personal relationship with God and the forgiveness of sins. This new covenant finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, who inaugurated the new covenant through His death and resurrection.

Spiritual Application:Jeremiah 31:32 reminds us of the fallen nature of humanity and our propensity to break our covenant with God. It emphasises the need for a new covenant that is not dependent on human effort but on God’s grace. Through Jesus Christ, this new covenant is made available to all who believe in Him. It offers forgiveness, transformation, and a restored relationship with God.

• The Mosaic Covenant was broken by the people of Israel, despite God’s faithfulness to them.
• God promises a new covenant, different from the old, that will be written on the hearts of His people.
• Jesus Christ fulfils the promise of the new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection.
• The new covenant offers forgiveness of sins and a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus.

Jeremiah 31:32 points us to the need for a Savior and the amazing grace of God in establishing a new covenant that brings salvation and reconciliation to all who believe.