What other scriptures emphasize repentance as seen in Jeremiah 36:3? A Call to Turn Back: Jeremiah 36:3 “Perhaps when the house of Judah hears about every disaster I intend to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his evil way; then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Repentance Echoed in the Old Testament • 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” • Psalm 51:17 – “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” • Proverbs 28:13 – “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” • Isaiah 55:6-7 – “Seek the LORD while He may be found… Let the wicked man forsake his own way… He will freely pardon.” • Ezekiel 18:30-32 – “Repent and turn from all your transgressions… so repent and live!” • Joel 2:12-13 – “Return to Me with all your heart… for He is gracious and compassionate.” • Jonah 3:8-10 – Nineveh turns from evil; “God relented of the disaster that He had declared.” Repentance Proclaimed in the New Testament • Matthew 3:2 – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” • Matthew 4:17 – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent…’” • Luke 13:3 – “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” • Luke 15:7 – “More joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.” • Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.” • Acts 3:19 – “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” • Acts 17:30 – “Now He commands all people everywhere to repent.” • 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is patient, “not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” • Revelation 2:5 – “Remember how far you have fallen; repent and perform the deeds you did at first.” Key Threads That Tie These Passages Together • A universal call: God addresses nations (Judah, Nineveh) and individuals alike. • Turning and forgiving: Repentance (“turning”) is consistently linked to God’s promise of forgiveness. • Urgency: Both Testaments stress acting “now,” before judgment falls. • God’s heart: He “takes no pleasure in anyone’s death” (Ezekiel 18:32) but delights to pardon the contrite. Living the Message Today • Hear God’s warnings in Scripture as personal, not merely historical. • Respond with humility—confession, turning from sin, and practical obedience. • Rest in the assurance that the same God who forgave Judah, Nineveh, and early believers still delights to forgive all who truly repent. |
    |