Jeremiah 50:18-19

Jeremiah 50:18-19 (ESV): “18 Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. 19 I will restore Israel to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and in Bashan, and his desire shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.”

Israel is a covenant nation, meaning that God has made certain unconditional promise to this people.  Namely, that they shall have a land to dwell in (Gen. 12:7; 17:8) and a throne that will be established forever (2 Sam. 7:16; Jer. 33:14–16). The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants are not given to the Church; they are specific to Israel. And God keeps His covenants.

Jeremiah proclaims the restoration of Israel from the hand of the Babylonians. God had used them—just as He once used the Assyrians (Isa. 10:5)—to chastise His wayward people. Yet His everlasting covenants with Abraham and David remain in effect. This would not be the last time Israel is displaced from her land because of disobedience, but God will keep His unconditional promises to her. And May 14th, 1948 is proof of this.

If God were to disregard His unconditional covenants with Abraham and David, how confident could we be in the New Covenant? But praise God, He hasn’t! You and I can rest securely in Christ because God takes His covenants seriously. The Church and Israel are two distinct programs. Don’t confuse the two—lest you make God out to be a liar.

Father, we thank You that Your unconditional promises are irrevocable. You will keep Your Word. Thank You for the confidence we can have as a result. Keep our eyes lifted upward and our hearts trusting in Your Son. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.