“I WILL FORGIVE” [Jer 50:17-20]

Israel is a scattered flock,

chased away by lions.

The first to devour him

was the king of Assyria;

the last to crush his bones

was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”

Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says:

“I will punish the king of Babylon and his land

as I punished the king of Assyria.

I will return Israel to his pasture,

and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan;

his soul will be satisfied

on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.

In those days and at that time,

declares the LORD,

a search will be made for Israel’s guilt,

but there will be none,

and for Judah’s sins,

but they will not be found;

for I will forgive

the remnant I preserve.”

How can this be? The Lord God Almighty is powerful to forgive sins. He blots out our transgressions, so they cannot be seen, so that we can be restored and live with Him forever!

First, we have a God who forgives!

“For I will forgive

the remnant I preserve.”

The Great God who punishes and chastises severely is the same God who pardons completely! He does not forgive as man forgives, holding a grudge, or keeping a distance. He forgives with the fullness of His heart through Christ. He forgives totally and completely, so that the erring sinner, turned out of the way, is able to return to the way of grace and mercy. He doesn’t hold sin against you, but through repentance and faith, He receives you fully.

He forgives SO THAT we can experience reconciliation. He put away sins SO THAT He can return us to blessings. He determined to save, so He pardons us first.

Secondly, God forgives the afflicted.

“Israel is a scattered flock,

chased away by lions.

The first to devour him

was the king of Assyria;

the last to crush his bones

was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” vs17

You’re burdened, brought down, and you’ve tasted the guilt and shame. You feel sinful, as He stripped your robe of fake righteousness and left you exposed. You see yourself as wicked, because He allowed you to rebel, and then punished you for unbelief. He broke you with hard times, even as Israel was broken by Assyria and Babylon. He made your strength disappear, your devotions become hypocrisy, and He let your flesh rage out of control.

He shows Himself a saving God, after showing Himself a God who punishes. He must be Lord, and He gives us repentance. You are miserable BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT, but He pardons you. This is not something He owes us; it’s a gift!

Thirdly, God’s pardon changes your life.

I will return Israel

To his grazing land,

He will graze on Carmel and Bashan;

his soul will be satisfied

on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. vs19

He doesn’t save to leave us, but to transform us radically. Now, you forgive, as you’ve been forgiven, and you deal with others by the grace of Christ. Now, you draw strength from the gospel to fulfill its commands. God’s forgiveness is not head only, but it goes deep into the heart, driving us and motivating us by grace.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [Heb 9:14]

We despise licentiousness and take our place under the reign of grace. We confess that Jesus is Lord, look to Him for strength, and thereby do good works.

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” [Rom 6:14]

God’s gospel is fruit bearing by the continued love of Christ meditated upon and believed. You are a new creation.