Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 23, 2023
When the Lord Does a New Thing
Jeremiah 31:23-34
1. Background
• the people “get it” (31:15-22)
• a more explicit commentary on 29:11
2. Description of Future Blessing 23-30
• reassurance of restoration
• revelation through a dream
• repudiation of a well-known saying
3. Declaration of a New Covenant 31-32
• noteworthy repetition
• not like the previous covenant
• notice the LORD’S initiative
4. Distinctives of the New Covenant 33-34
• internalized word (Matt. 5-7)
• personal God
• personal instruction
• permanent forgiveness
5. So What?
• Because the LORD can restore fully what was devastated completely, trust Him to do a new thing in your life.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 8:6-12; 1 Pet. 2:9-10
• “But the faith, needed by Israel to believe in what would come, is the faith I need to believe in what has already come.” (S. Smith)
• “God of the covenant, Lord God Almighty, marvels of mercy adoring we see: calling from sin and from darkness a people bonded to Christ by a timeless decree.” (J. Webb, “God of the Covenant, Lord God Almighty”)
