Jeremiah 31:31-34 is one of the most famous passages in the OT. As such it requires us to slow down a bit and reflect on what it is doing
What does it mean that God will make a “new covenant”?
There was a problem with the first covenant. It wasn't a problem of content. It was a problem of the heart.
God has promised that he will restore the fortunes of Israel - he will bring the captives back and unite Israel and Judah again under the throne of David.
But there's a problem. What guarantee do we have that next time it will be different? So what if God restores Israel? What will make next time different from last time?
The difference is that God will change our hearts!
This is what the new covenant is all about! Three times the LORD says “Behold, the days are coming” (v27, v31, and v38). And there is a pattern to these three statements that follows from part one (verses 1-26):
“First, I will build up and plant” (the first theme of 31:1-14),
“Second, I will make a new covenant” (using the theme of 31:15-22)
and “Third, the city shall be rebuilt”(using the theme of 31:23-26)
In one sense, all of this “new covenant” language is simply drawing on and fulfilling the first covenant - because the difference between the new covenant and the old covenant is not really a difference in content but a difference in power and glory...
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