What does Jeremiah 31:35 teach about God's covenant faithfulness to Israel? The Verse Itself “Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in motion the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD of Hosts is His name:” (Jeremiah 31:35) What the Imagery Conveys • God alone “gives,” “sets,” and “stirs”; each verb highlights sovereign control. • The sun, moon, stars, and sea represent the most constant, observable realities in human experience. • By tying His word to these fixed markers, the Lord signals that His covenant is as dependable as the cosmic order He daily sustains. Connection to Israel’s Ongoing Covenant • Jeremiah 31:35 launches a promise sequence (vv. 35-37) guaranteeing Israel’s enduring nationhood; verse 35 lays the foundation by appealing to creation itself. • Just as the heavens and seas remain under God’s unbroken command, so Israel remains under His unbroken covenant. • The point is literal and unconditional: if the sun could quit shining or the moon stop its cycle, only then could God cast off Israel—an impossibility. Reinforced by Other Scriptures • Genesis 17:7—“I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant.” • Psalm 89:35-37—David’s line compared to the sun and moon for permanence. • Isaiah 54:9-10—mountains may depart, “but My covenant of peace will not be removed.” • Romans 11:1-2, 28-29—“Has God rejected His people? By no means… the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” Takeaways to Hold Onto • Israel’s existence rests not on human faithfulness but on God’s character. • The same Lord who sustains the universe sustains every word He has spoken. • If the created order stands firm under His hand, so do His redemptive promises—both to Israel and, by extension, to all who trust His Word. |
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