Jeremiah 31:31-32

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” vs. 31

It’s surprising to some when we read in the Hebrew scriptures that God keeps making new covenants with the people of Israel. Somewhere we’ve gotten the notion that covenants are irrevocable and that they can’t ever be changed, that they’re like our constitution and will be the same forever…even when we think a few changes might be advisable. But God is different from us…and that’s a good thing. When something new is needed God continues to love but changes the terms of the promise. First there was Noah and the promise to never again destroy the earth in a flood, then came Abraham and Sarah and the assurance of heirs, and even later there was Moses and the gift of freedom. And now Jeremiah tells the remnant huddled in Jerusalem that there will be yet another covenant…this time something entirely new. The one constant of course is that it’s God who makes the promise. Even though the people consistently break the covenants, God is faithful. Even when the country ultimately disappears and all the land is taken away God doesn’t give up. Eventually of course we get to Jesus and the new covenant written in his blood, a promise that was for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Maybe someday there’ll be yet another covenant…that’s just how it is with heavenly change orders…the good news is that God never changes!

Thought for the Day: What covenant changes may still be ahead?