Jeremiah 35: it is possible to obey a human being, why so much difficult in obeying the Lord?

 In Jeremiah 35, the Lord uses the Rechabites’ community as an example of obedience. They were not supposed to drink wine. Would they still not be drinking wine?

3-4 So I (Jeremiah, I suppose) went and got Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah (instead of "my son"?), son of Habazziniah, along with all his brothers and sons—the whole community of the Recabites as it turned out—and brought them to God’s Temple and to the meeting room of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. It was next to the meeting room of the Temple officials and just over the apartment of Maaseiah son of Shallum, who was in charge of Temple affairs.

5 Then I set out chalices and pitchers of wine for the Recabites and said, “A toast! Drink up!”

6-7 But they wouldn’t do it. “We don’t drink wine,” they said. “Our ancestor Jonadab son of Recab commanded us, ‘You are not to drink wine, you or your children, ever. Neither shall you build houses or settle down, planting fields and gardens and vineyards. Don’t own property. Live in tents as nomads so that you will live well and prosper in a wandering life.’

They didn´t drink wine in obedience to Jonadab (who lived in Jehu's time). The Lord didn´t ask to his whole people not to drink wine; but this community embraced it as commandment. Did the Lord approve it? Yes:

12-15 Then Jeremiah received this Message from God: “God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel, wants you to go tell the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem that I say, ‘Why won’t you learn your lesson and do what I tell you?’ God’s Decree. ‘The commands of Jonadab son of Recab to his sons have been carried out to the letter. He told them not to drink wine, and they haven’t touched a drop to this very day. They honored and obeyed their ancestor’s command. But look at you! I have gone to a lot of trouble to get your attention, and you’ve ignored me. I sent prophet after prophet to you, all of them my servants, to tell you from early morning to late at night to change your life, make a clean break with your evil past and do what is right, to not take up with every Tom, Dick, and Harry of a god that comes down the pike, but settle down and be faithful in this country I gave your ancestors.

The Lord is almost jeleous that this commnity obeyed their ancestor's command while his people don't obey Him. It is a big contrast: if humans can obey another human, why this difficult to obey the Lord?

In face of this:

17 “So here’s what is going to happen. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘I will bring calamity down on the heads of the people of Judah and Jerusalem—the very calamity I warned you was coming—because you turned a deaf ear when I spoke, turned your backs when I called.’”

but the Lord will honor that community:

18-19 Then, turning to the Recabite community, Jeremiah said, “And this is what God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel, says to you: ‘Because you have done what Jonadab your ancestor told you, obeyed his commands and followed through on his instructions, receive this Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel: There will always be a descendant of Jonadab son of Recab at my service! Always!’”

Jeremiah 34: Judah obeys the Lord under pressure, mas not in normal conditions.

 In Jeremiah 34, Judah obeys the Lord under pressure, mas not in normal conditions. According to the law, Hebrews should set free after 6 years of work; however, as they were not obeying the law:


8 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem, to proclaim [c]release to them: 9 that each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, so that no one would keep them, his Jewish brother or sister, in bondage.

It seems that the army of Babylon was near Jerusalem (v22).

10 And all the officials and all the people obeyed who had entered into the covenant that each person was to set his male servant free and each his female servant, so that no one would keep them in bondage any longer; they obeyed, and set them free.

This covenant was established in odd way. They cut a calf in two. The people passed through the two halves of the calf saying that they will fulfill it; otherwise, they will pay with their lives. However, they didn't fulfill:

18 I will give the people who have violated My covenant, who have not fulfilled the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts— 19 the officials of Judah and the officials of Jerusalem, the high officials and the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf—

Why did they violate this covenant? Because they feared more the army of Babylon than the Lord:

22 Behold, I am going to give a command,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring them back to this city, and they will fight against it and take it and burn it with fire; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant.’”

They abandoned the covenant as soon as the army of Babylon withdraw.

Thus, the Lord says:

20 I will hand them over to their enemies and to those who seek their lives. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth. 21 Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials I will also hand over to their enemies and to those who seek their lives, and to the army of the king of Babylon which has withdrawn from you.

Jeremiah 33: promises of restauration and the davidic kingdom in middle of the chaos.

 
In Jeremiah 33, the Lord promises restauration when Jeremiah is still in prison (perhaps in the last year before the destruction of Jerusalem). There is a great contrast between what is happening and the promise of restauration. It is almost impossible to believe in restauration because things are only getting worse and worse.

4-5 “This is what God, the God of Israel, has to say about what’s going on in this city, about the homes of both people and kings that have been demolished, about all the ravages of war and the killing by the Chaldeans, and about the streets littered with the dead bodies of those killed because of my raging anger—about all that’s happened because the evil actions in this city have turned my stomach in disgust.

6-9 “But now take another look. I’m going to give this city a thorough renovation, working a true healing inside and out. I’m going to show them life whole, life brimming with blessings. I’ll restore everything that was lost to Judah and Jerusalem. I’ll build everything back as good as new. I’ll scrub them clean from the dirt they’ve done against me. I’ll forgive everything they’ve done wrong, forgive all their rebellions. And Jerusalem will be a center of joy and praise and glory for all the countries on earth. They’ll get reports on all the good I’m doing for her. They’ll be in awe of the blessings I am pouring on her.

10-11 “Yes, God’s Message: ‘You’re going to look at this place, these empty and desolate towns of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, and say, “A wasteland. Unlivable. Not even a dog could live here.” But the time is coming when you’re going to hear laughter and celebration, marriage festivities, people exclaiming, “Thank God-of-the-Angel-Armies. He’s so good! His love never quits,” as they bring thank offerings into God’s Temple. I’ll restore everything that was lost in this land. I’ll make everything as good as new.’ I, God, say so.


The Lord will restore the Davidic Kingdom:

14-18 “‘Watch for this: The time is coming’—God’s Decree—‘when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. That’s when Judah will be secure and Jerusalem live in safety. The motto for the city will be, “God Has Set Things Right for Us.” God has made it clear that there will always be a descendant of David ruling the people of Israel and that there will always be Levitical priests on hand to offer burnt offerings, present grain offerings, and carry on the sacrificial worship in my honor.’”

As a Christian, it is easy to think that Jesus, a descendant of David, is ruling his people; but it for me, it is not easy to understand the Levitical priests to offer sacrifices.

Jeremiah 32: Hope beyond Jeremiah's death

In Jeremiah 32, Jeremiah is in prison because the king Zedekiah didn't like his preaching. Around  588 BC, it was very clear that Nebuchadnezzar II would destroy Jerusalem because in Jeremiah's words praying to the Lord:

24 Behold, the assault ramps have reached the city to take it; and the city has been handed over to the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword, the famine, and the plague; and what You have spoken has come to pass; and behold, You see it.

In fact, In 587 BC, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Kingdom of Judah, and its capital, Jerusalem. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_II).
The Lord says to Jeremiah to buy a property that his cousin Hanamel (his uncle Shallum’s son) would offer him; and indeed it happened in his prison. Jeremiah knows that he is going to loose money, complaining to the Lord:

25 Yet You have said to me, Lord [f]God, “Buy for yourself the field with money and call in witnesses”—although the city has been handed over to the Chaldeans.’”

The Lord wanted to show through this that he would restore the land to his people.

36 “But there is also this Message from me, the God of Israel, to this city of which you have said, ‘In killing and starvation and disease this city will be delivered up to the king of Babylon’:

37-40 “‘Watch for this! I will collect them from all the countries to which I will have driven them in my anger and rage and indignation. Yes, I’ll bring them all back to this place and let them live here in peace. They will be my people, I will be their God. I’ll make them of one mind and heart, always honoring me, so that they can live good and whole lives, they and their children after them. What’s more, I’ll make a covenant with them that will last forever, a covenant to stick with them no matter what, and work for their good. I’ll fill their hearts with a deep respect for me so they’ll not even think of turning away from me.

41 “‘Oh how I’ll rejoice in them! Oh how I’ll delight in doing good things for them! Heart and soul, I’ll plant them in this country and keep them here!’

We Christians understand that we are the people of the Lord, and the Almighty is our God, thus, we are in this new covenant that will last forever. May the Lord fill our hearts with a deep respect for Him so we'll not even think of turning away from Him.

Jeremiah 31: Restauration and the New Covenant

 
In Jeremiah 31 we read about:

. Israel was mourning, suffering, but the remaining will find joy:

6 The time’s coming when watchmen will call out
    from the hilltops of Ephraim:
‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion,
    go to meet our God!’”

Ephraim/Israel will go to Zion (the temple?) to meet the Lord. Prophecies are very hard to interpret: were they fulfilled or are they going to be fulfilled? Was this prophecy about Ephraim fulfilled?

    
10-14 “Hear this, nations! God’s Message!
    Broadcast this all over the world!
Tell them, ‘The One who scattered Israel
    will gather them together again.
From now on he’ll keep a careful eye on them,
    like a shepherd with his flock.’
I, God, will pay a stiff ransom price for Jacob;
    I’ll free him from the grip of the Babylonian bully.
The people will climb up Zion’s slopes shouting with joy,
    their faces beaming because of God’s bounty—
Grain and wine and oil,
    flocks of sheep, herds of cattle.
Their lives will be like a well-watered garden,
    never again left to dry up.
Young women will dance and be happy,
    young men and old men will join in.
I’ll convert their weeping into laughter,
    lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy.
I’ll make sure that their priests get three square meals a day
    and that my people have more than enough.’” God’s Decree.

Judah was set free from the Babylonian captivity indeed and Jeremiah didn't see it.

    
. a new covenant will be established:

31-32 “That’s right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won’t be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master.” God’s Decree.

33-34 “This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree.


Christians understand that the new covenant happens through Jesus, the Messiah. Here, we read that the Lord will write the law, His will, in our hearts so that we walk in His ways. This is true thanks to the Holy Spirit living in us.

Jeremiah 30: Restauration with the King

 In Jeremiah 30 we read:

1-2 This is the Message Jeremiah received from God: “God’s Message, the God of Israel: ‘Write everything I tell you in a book.

3 “‘Look. The time is coming when I will turn everything around for my people, both Israel and Judah. I, God, say so. I’ll bring them back to the land I gave their ancestors, and they’ll take up ownership again.’”

The Lord says that He will bring his people (Israel and Judah) back to the Promised Land.

8 ‘It shall come about on that day,’ declares the Lord of armies, ‘that I will break his yoke from [b]their necks and will tear to pieces [c]their restraints; and strangers will no longer make [d]them their slaves. 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

Was this prophecy fulfilled in Esdras or Neheemiah ages? Although Judah (and Israel) returned to the Promised Land, they were not free. Did they serve the Lord and David their king? No. It will be fulfilled when Jesus return.

The Lord promises restoration with the King:

21 [m]Their leader shall be one of them,
And [n]their ruler will come out from [o]their midst;
And I will bring him near and he shall approach Me;
For [p]who would dare to risk his life to approach Me?’ declares the Lord.
22 ‘You shall be My people,
And I will be your God.’”

Jesus is the One who dared to risk his life to approach the Lord.

Jeremiah 29: Bless Babylon

in chapter 29, Jews were taken to Babylon. Jeremiah sent them a letter saying:

 This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 “Build houses and make yourselves at home.

“Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country.

6 “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away.

7 “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare.

“Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.”

8-9 Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God: “Don’t let all those so-called preachers and know-it-alls who are all over the place there take you in with their lies. Don’t pay any attention to the fantasies they keep coming up with to please you. They’re a bunch of liars preaching lies—and claiming I sent them! I never sent them, believe me.” God’s Decree!

Babylon was an evil country, however, the Lord's message to his people was to make Babylon their new home and pray for Babylon’s well-being. That is the message to us today in respect to our evil country. But, Babylon was not the end:

10-11 This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

12 “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.

13-14 “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”—God’s Decree—“bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

I am a pilgrim in Brazil. What are my possessions here? My real country is in New Jerusalem.

Interestingly, Shemaiah sent a message to the leaders, specailly the priest, saying in name of the Lord:

26 “The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be the overseer of the house of the Lord for every insane person who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and in the iron collar. 27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who prophesies to you, 28 seeing that he has sent word to us in Babylon, saying, ‘[l]The exile will be long; build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their [m]produce’?”’”

Shemaiah spoke in the name of the Lord denying that the Jewish people should make Babylon their new home. It was very tempting to believe in Shemaiah, but the Lord told Jeremiah:

30-32 “Send this Message to the exiles. Tell them what God says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Shemaiah is preaching lies to you. I didn’t send him. He is seducing you into believing lies. So this is God’s verdict: I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his whole family. He’s going to end up with nothing and no one. No one from his family will be around to see any of the good that I am going to do for my people because he has preached rebellion against me.” God’s Decree.