Connect Jeremiah 31:22 with New Testament themes of redemption and restoration. Jeremiah’s Astonishing Promise Jeremiah 31:22 – “How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land — a woman will shelter a man.” • Spoken to a wayward Israel, the verse announces something unprecedented (“a new thing”). • The Hebrew literally pictures “a woman surrounding/encircling a man,” overturning expected order. • In its immediate setting, the line forms part of a wider restoration oracle (Jeremiah 31:1-26), pointing to the coming New Covenant (31:31-34). The “New Thing” and the Virgin Birth • Luke 1:31-35 records the angelic announcement that a virgin would conceive: – “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (v. 35). • Matthew 1:23 echoes Isaiah 7:14, affirming the literal virgin conception of Jesus. • Galatians 4:4-5 underlines the same truth: “God sent His Son, born of a woman… to redeem those under the law.” Key parallels: – “Woman” (Mary) becomes the vessel of the “Man” (the God-Man, Christ). – The divine initiative (“created a new thing”) matches the Holy Spirit’s miraculous work in Mary. – Both texts stress God’s faithfulness to redeem His wandering people. Redemption Secured at the Cross • The Child foretold in Jeremiah 31:22 grows to become the Redeemer: – Colossians 1:19-20 – “through Him to reconcile to Himself all things… making peace by the blood of His cross.” – Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” • The “new thing” thus moves from a birth in Bethlehem to a death at Calvary, purchasing full pardon for all who believe. Restoration Unleashed in the New Covenant • Jeremiah 31:31-34 promises hearts transformed and sins remembered no more. • Hebrews 8:8-12 cites that very promise, declaring it fulfilled in Christ’s mediating work. • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” • Revelation 21:5 – “Behold, I make all things new” — the ultimate, cosmic reach of the restoration begun at the incarnation. Living in the Fulfillment Today • Confidence: God literally kept His word once; He will keep every remaining promise. • Identity: Believers are “born of God” (John 1:12-13) and already taste the “new creation” reality. • Mission: Proclaim the “new thing” to a wandering world so others may be gathered into the restored people of God. Key Takeaways • Jeremiah 31:22 looks forward to the virgin birth, an historical, literal event inaugurating redemption. • The same chapter’s New Covenant promise is sealed by Christ’s blood and applied by His Spirit. • Redemption (deliverance from sin) and restoration (renewal of all things) are inseparably linked in Jesus, the Man sheltered by a woman yet Lord of all. |
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