The New Covenant Chapter

Many theologians and preachers believe chapter thirty one in the book of Jeremiah is the New Covenant chapter. Because of this fact, I think it is very important to find out who this particular chapter is specifically referring to.

Jeremiah 31: 1, 7-15

“At the same time,” says the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.”

For thus says the Lord: “Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!’ 8 Behold, I will bring them from the North Country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labors with child, together; a great multitude shall return there. 9 They shall come with weeping, and with prayers I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn. 10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’ 11 For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of one stronger than he. 12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the Lord— For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all. 13 “Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. 14 I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” 15 Thus says the Lord: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”

Right away in verse one YHWH says He will be the God of all Israel. This is both the norther and southern houses that made up all twelve tribes. We know the Northern Kingdom was scattered among all the nations of the world and were divorced from YHWH. Verse eight mentions the remnant of Israel. The remnant of Israel refers to the House of Israel, or the lost sheep from the Northern Kingdom.

Isaiah 11:11

It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea.

The House of Israel were scattered into these nations. Verse eight also mentions a “great multitude shall return”.  This should sound familiar and is similar to what we read in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 7:9

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Verse nine describes exactly what preachers say every Sunday. The difference is it seems to be referring specifically to Israel, and not simply any one. When Israel is referred to as Ephraim, it always means the Norther Kingdom. This is confirmed in verse ten. YHWH scattered only the Northern Kingdom. He did not scatter the gentiles or the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He then refers to them as sheep, at least it could be implied as such. But that also goes hand in hand with what Christ says.

John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

Moving to verse eleven, it is Jacob that is redeemed. Remember Jacob is Israel, not the gentiles. Also, remember Israel was scattered among the gentiles and eventually assimilated into those nations.

Titus 2:14

who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Galatians 4:5

to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Verse twelve and thirteen show us once redeemed there will be no more sorrow. Mourning will become joy and we will be comforted. Verse fifteen then goes on to discuss Racheal’s children and her weeping due to them being “no more”. Racheal’s children are Israel.

Moving on further in the chapter comes the section specifically mentioning the New Covenant. We absolutely must understand the entire chapter is in reference to Israel, and the House of Israel specifically. There is no reason for any of us to think it acceptable to change definitions or the meaning of who this New Covenant is intended for. Aside from that, this section specifically states who it is intended for, but for some reason, it is continuously ignored. It is out of ignorance the church today believes the gentiles have replaced Israel.

Jeremiah 31:31-34, 36

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,[a] says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

“If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the Lord, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.”

To be continued.....