Jeremiah 33 FSI - HEAR, O EARTH

> [!title|noicon] **Jeremiah 33 Notes** > [[Jeremiah 32 FSI|<Prev]]   [[Jeremiah 34 FSI|Next>]] > [[Jeremiah 33|Verse list view]] > [Jeremiah 33:1](Jeremiah%2033.md#^1) note > > The Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time while he was still shut up in the court of the prison. And He's going to speak about many of the same things we read about in chapter 32. Why does the Word of the LORD come to him the second time? Remember in Genesis 41 when Pharoah had two dreams about the seven fat and seven skinny cows, and then the seven fat and seven skinny ears of corn? And then Joseph interprets the dream, saying in [verse 32](Genesis%2041.md#^32) that the dream was doubled unto Pharoah because it was established by God and that God would shortly bring it to pass. > > So that's the meaning to what we see here that the Word of the LORD came the second time to Jeremiah. Remember in chapter 32 God had said, "I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul." And here in chapter 33 God is doubling it up as His Word comes again to Jeremiah to speak the same spiritual Truth, indicating that this is absolutely going to happen. It is an assurance to us just as the double dream was to Pharoah that it is established by God and that He *will* bring it to pass. ^jer33-1 > [Jeremiah 33:2](Jeremiah%2033.md#^2) note > > What is the LORD the Maker of? What is it that He has formed and established? It's the Kingdom of God, the Bride of Christ. ^jer33-2 > [Jeremiah 33:3](Jeremiah%2033.md#^3) note > > "Call unto me..." How do we call unto the LORD? We cry out for mercy, "Oh, LORD, have mercy and give us wisdom. Work in us to do thy Will and good pleasure." > > "...and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." How does God show us these great and mighty things? Through the Word of God, the Bible. That's why God gave us the Bible. Our problem many times is that we're slothful, we're lazy or we're busy with this world. We have so many important things to do as we put food on the table and seek entertainment and relaxation and so on that we don't spend the time in the Word like we should that we might learn more and more. But as we diligently search the Bible we indeed learn great and mighty things. We learn about our eternal inheritance in Christ and just how wonderful that is, how we'll have eternal life and reign with Christ forevermore. And that's also what makes the punishment so terrible for the unsaved because they've lost it all. Of course, they don't know what they've lost, but it's an enormous penalty that is assessed because of their sins. ^jer33-3 > [Jeremiah 33:4](Jeremiah%2033.md#^4), [5](Jeremiah%2033.md#^5) note > > This is the major consequence of sin, which is death. God has slain them in His anger and fury. They have been eternally killed, they have lost their inheritance. And again, He is speaking about Jerusalem, the city of God. So this is part of the great and mighty things God is showing us as He declared in [verse 3](Jeremiah%2033.md#^3). But this isn't all, as we find in the verses that follow. ^jer33-4-5 > [Jeremiah 33:6](Jeremiah%2033.md#^6) note > > Again, in the midst of this terrible, terrible judgment upon the city of God, Jerusalem (pointing to the churches and congregations in our day), He is bringing this marvelous, wonderful salvation out into the world, a great multitude that no man can number ([v22](Jeremiah%2033.md#^22)). And God is repeating this reality throughout the remainder of this chapter. He is bringing health and cure, as Christ the great Physician heals the sick of their disease of sin that they might have an abundance of peace with God in the Truth of the Gospel. ^jer33-6 > [Jeremiah 33:7](Jeremiah%2033.md#^7) note > > "And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return," Normally when you read the phrase *return the captivity* or something similar it has to do with salvation ([Is 61:1](Isaiah%2061.md#^1); [Lk 4:18](Luke%204.md#^18)). Since the fall of Adam and Eve to Satan in the Garden of Eden, the human race has been in spiritual captivity to sin and Satan. They are in spiritual bondage. And, whenever national Israel (or the churches and congregations today) are cut off by God for rebellion, they are again carried *into* captivity (ie. into Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, the kingdom of Satan or the world as they have become like the world). > > "...and will build them, as at the first." The phrase *as at the first* also refers to the situation in the Garden of Eden when the human race was in complete fellowship with God, at at time when there was no sin and death. And when we are saved in Christ, our sins have all been covered, they have all been paid for. So we now have the righteousness of Christ and are brought back into the kingdom of God (the Garden of Eden) into fellowship with God through Him. So, as stated previously, this would represent being delivered out of captivity to sin and Satan and brought back into the kingdom of God, into fellowship with God. (Incidentally, in [Isaiah 11:6](Isaiah%2011.md#^6), [7](Isaiah%2011.md#^7), [8](Isaiah%2011.md#^8) God speaks of salvation in terms of the conditions that existed in the Garden of Eden when there was no fear of death). > > We could perhaps look also at Pentecost as this time *at the first* when the captivity began to be delivered, when there was an enormous response to the Gospel and 3,000 people became saved. And since the context of Jeremiah is speaking of our time right near the end, God is saying He will again return the captivity and build them as He did *at the first*. That is, at this time right near the end, after the churches and congregations have been taken captive into spiritual Babylon (as typified here in Jeremiah with Judah being taken captive into Babylon), God is anticipating that He will yet save a multitude of people into the kingdom of God as He did at the beginning of the church age, as at the first. So just as God began to save many out of the nations in the *last days* of the New Testament era, so He is now saving a multitude of people out of the nations in the final, closing *last days* of the world. We see this dual fulfillment, for example, if we carefully read [Acts 2:16](Acts%202.md#^16), [17](Acts%202.md#^17), [18](Acts%202.md#^18), [19](Acts%202.md#^19), [20](Acts%202.md#^20), [21](Acts%202.md#^21), where God speaks of the great salvation that is occurring on the day of Pentacost, but includes language as this happening just before the Day of Judgment. ^jer33-7 > [Jeremiah 33:8](Jeremiah%2033.md#^8) note > > We all start out in Adam. We're spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins. We're under the wrath of God and condemned to eternal death. But if we have been chosen of God, God issues a *pardon* and gives us eternal life in Christ. He cleanses us from all unrighteousness through the righteousness of Christ and through His atonement. ^jer33-8 > [Jeremiah 33:9](Jeremiah%2033.md#^9) note > > In light of God's pardoning all of His people, we read this verse. When we see this phrase *fear and tremble*, it makes us think of [Philippians 2:12](Philippians%202.md#^12) where we are called to work out our salvation with *fear and trembling* if we have become saved. And there, it is because God is working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure ([Php 2:13](Philippians%202.md#^13)). But here in Jeremiah 33:9 it is not speaking about the believers working out their salvation by the Will of God, but the unsaved nations of the world, the enemies of the Gospel, who witness those who have become saved while they are about to be destroyed. > > The word *tremble* here is also translated as *quake or shake* and identifies with the final time of judgment when God completes His wrath upon the unsaved of the world. For example, in [Isaiah 13:11](Isaiah%2013.md#^11), [12](Isaiah%2013.md#^12), [13](Isaiah%2013.md#^13) we read where God will shake the heavens as God brings final destruction and punishment upon the world. And this occurs as the believers are being raptured, or taken out of this world to be with Christ. And again in [Joel 2:1](Joel%202.md#^1) and [10](Joel%202.md#^10) we see where the inhabitants of the land shall tremble and the earth shall quake when judgment day comes. > > But when we come back to Jeremiah 33:9, we read that the nations of the earth shall fear and tremble when they "shall hear all the good that I do unto them (the elect) ... for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it (the kingdom of God)." And how will they hear of this? When the rapture occurs, it will be a very big statement to the world. Anyone who is still alive and is left behind at this time will certainly know that this has happened, that the believers are taken out from the destruction that is coming upon the earth. It shall be the *big* proof that those who have been taken up are truly the children of God, that they have been truly blessed, while the rest remain behind to suffer eternal annihilation. And the goodness and prosperity procured unto the elect has to do with all of the wonderful Promises of God's salvation plan to His people. All of the believers will dwell with Christ forevermore in the kingdom of God where there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering and no more death, but unending joy and rejoicing. > > So when this finally happens, those that are left behind will be fearing, trembling and shaking. The whole world left behind will be a world of death. The earth shall give up the dead that is within it so that the corpses will be like manure on the ground ([Jer 25:33](Jeremiah%2025.md#^33)) to be shamed in the eyes of God altogether, just prior to when God will destroy this present creation by fire unquenchable, the lake of fire. They will all know that the end is here and will suffer deep pain, shame and trouble. See [2 Peter 2:9](2%20Peter%202.md#^9) as a parallel to this verse. ^jer33-9 > [Jeremiah 33:10](Jeremiah%2033.md#^10), [11](Jeremiah%2033.md#^11) note > > To understand these 2 verses, we must look at the phrase *as at the first* near the end of verse 11, which we saw previously in [verse 7](Jeremiah%2033.md#^7) (and the [note to verse 7](Jeremiah%2033%20FSI.md#^jer33-7)). These 2 verses are speaking of the same event as verse 7. God is yet planning to save a great multitude of people at the end of time, after the church age, to bring them back into relationship with Him as we were in the Garden of Eden. And this great salvation is reflected or seen at the first during Pentecost when many were being brought into the kingdom of God from amongst the nations of the world. > > So as verse 10 speaks of the total, complete desolation that comes upon the visible kingdom of God in the world, verse 11 speaks of the great salvation that God is nevertheless going to accomplish through His Word alone, throughout the world, as we approach the very end of time, and they, in turn, become part of the eternal, heavenly Judah and Jerusalem that God is building at this time. ^jer33-10-11 > [Jeremiah 33:12](Jeremiah%2033.md#^12), [13](Jeremiah%2033.md#^13), [14](Jeremiah%2033.md#^14) note > > These 3 verses are repeating again what was declared in verses 10-11. God is saving His elect and bringing them into the eternal, heavenly kingdom of God, especially during the short period of time immediately following the desolation and destruction of the *visible* kingdom of God on earth, those within the churches and congregations who from a visible standpoint should have been the kingdom of God but had become corrupted by the world (and ultimately by Satan). Nevertheless, now God is completing the building of His eternal kingdom as He brings in a multitude of people through salvation, through His Word, through Christ alone. God WILL perform what He has promised to Abraham and to His seed that He will save a people for Himself, a numerous multitude like the sand of the sea and upon the seashore ([Gen 22:17](Genesis%2022.md#^17), [18](Genesis%2022.md#^18); [Hos 1:10](Hosea%201.md#^10)), the likes which we have not seen until this final latter rain of the harvest. He will fulfill the oath of His covenant to save His elect people, who then become the eternal house of Israel and Judah. > > Remember, God demonstrated this in Jeremiah chapter 32 through Jeremiah's purchase of the field in Anathoth even while Judah was on the cusp of being completely conquered by Babylon, of being destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar. It was a sign and a witness to them that spiritually they would indeed return to possess the land (pointing to the guarantee that His people would inherit the eternal Promised land or Heaven itself). There is a great harvest that is *going* to come into the kingdom of God, and God is doing *all* the work and shall receive *all* of the glory. ^jer33-12-14 > [Jeremiah 33:15](Jeremiah%2033.md#^15), [16](Jeremiah%2033.md#^16) note > > v15: "In those days, and at that time..." While this might sound like the time when Christ came to kick off the New Testament period, it is actually still speaking about the time approaching the end and the day of Judgment, as that is the context of what we are reading here in Jeremiah. > > "...will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David;" Remember, David is a picture or a figure of the Lord Jesus. He was the Shepherd-King unto whom was also given promises like unto Abraham as he served as a great type of Christ Himself. And we know that these promises are actually carried out through the *seed* of David Whom David typified, the Lord Jesus Christ ([2 Sam 7:13](2%20Samuel%207.md#^13), [14](2%20Samuel%207.md#^14), [15](2%20Samuel%207.md#^15), [16](2%20Samuel%207.md#^16); [Ps 89:3](Psalm%2089.md#^3), [4](Psalm%2089.md#^4)). > > "...and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land." Christ as the eternal King, typified by David, will carry out all of His judgment in the punishment of the unsaved, while His perfect righteousness is applied to the believers unto eternal life. And, of course, everything Christ does, whether in judgment or salvation, is altogether according to righteous judgment (cp [Is 33:5](Isaiah%2033.md#^5)). > > v16: "In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this *is the name* wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness." At that time the kingdom of God shall rightly be called *The LORD our righteousness*. It's all because Christ is absolutely righteous and has become *our* righteousness when we have become saved ([1 Cor 1:30](1%20Corinthians%201.md#^30); [Php 3:9](Philippians%203.md#^9); [2 Pe 1:1](2%20Peter%201.md#^1)). This is the finality of all things when there is no more sin, wickedness and death in the world (in the new heavens and the new earth - [2 Pe 3:13](2%20Peter%203.md#^13)), and thus God says that Judah and Jerusalem shall dwell safely. There is no more fear or threat of death for sin. > > We find a parallel passage to these verses in [Ezekiel 37:21](Ezekiel%2037.md#^21), [22](Ezekiel%2037.md#^22), [23](Ezekiel%2037.md#^23), [24](Ezekiel%2037.md#^24), [25](Ezekiel%2037.md#^25), [26](Ezekiel%2037.md#^26), [27](Ezekiel%2037.md#^27), [28](Ezekiel%2037.md#^28) where Christ, again typified by David, finally ushers in the eternal kingdom of God which continues forever. (See also [Ps 89:3-37](Psalm%2089.md) which points to the spiritual promises to Christ, the true, spiritual David, and to His people.) ^jer33-15-16 > [Jeremiah 33:17](Jeremiah%2033.md#^17), [18](Jeremiah%2033.md#^18) note > > Spiritually and eternally it is Christ Who reigns on the Throne of the house of (the eternal) Israel. He is the faithful High Priest who has covered the sins of His people. And this again is speaking of an *eternity*, so we know this is speaking of the new heavens and new earth. Christ's Work on behalf of His people abides forever. The impact of the Sacrifice He made of Himself for our sins (if we have become saved) never ends. It is only in this sense that He offers sacrifice *continually*. It isn't that He must offer sacrifice again and again, but that His One Sacrifice continues forever. So these verses declare that there shall be no lack of a King and of a Priest, the kingdom of God is forever and His people are perpetually secure in and ruled over by Him and shall never be plucked out of His hand or be subject to death. ^jer33-17-18 > [Jeremiah 33:19](Jeremiah%2033.md#^19), [20](Jeremiah%2033.md#^20), [21](Jeremiah%2033.md#^21) note > > A parallel passage to this, though worded a little differently, was seen in [Jeremiah 31:35](Jeremiah%2031.md#^35), [36](Jeremiah%2031.md#^36), [37](Jeremiah%2031.md#^37). > > vv19-20: We know from [Genesis 8:22 ](Genesis%208.md#^22) that while the earth remains day and night shall not cease. It is the Law of God for this creation. Of course, we are heading to the end of time when the heavens shall pass away and the earth as it is now shall be burned up ([2 Pe 3:10](2%20Peter%203.md#^10)). Nevertheless, God has ordained that these things will continue right until the end, and we cannot break this ordinance. We cannot break this Law. > > v21: The covenant promise that was made to David is seen in [2 Samuel 7:12](2%20Samuel%207.md#^12), [13](2%20Samuel%207.md#^13), [16](2%20Samuel%207.md#^16), spoken in the historical context at the birth of Solomon but pointing to the eternal kingdom of Christ. The Seed of David that reigns on the throne forever and ever is the Lord Jesus Christ. We see this again in [Ezekiel 37:24](Ezekiel%2037.md#^24), [25](Ezekiel%2037.md#^25), which again is speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of the Promise. He is the eternal King, the eternal Shepherd, the eternal Prince. > > So through this declaration, God continues to guarantee that His Promise to save a multitude of people *will* come to pass, it is true and trustworthy, and Christ will reign forevermore as King and Priest. ^jer33-19-21 >[Jeremiah 33:22](Jeremiah%2033.md#^22) note > > This is a repeat of [Genesis 15:5](Genesis%2015.md#^5). The implication is that, of course, we cannot number the stars. The sky is ablaze with stars, there is no limit, they just go on and on and on and cannot be numbered. The same is true with the sand of the sea, as we read here in Jeremiah. In [Genesis 13:16](Genesis%2013.md#^16) God uses a similar figure of the dust of the earth. And in [Revelation 7:9](Revelation%207.md#^9) and [Hosea 1:10](Hosea%201.md#^10) we see that God has yet to complete the salvation of a great multitude prior to the final day of judgment and the end of the world. ^jer33-22 > [Jeremiah 33:23](Jeremiah%2033.md#^23), [24](Jeremiah%2033.md#^24) note > > In the historical setting, this is a very practical situation at the time Jeremiah was living. At that time the nation of Israel had been divided into 2 major nations: Israel to the North (consisting chiefly of 10 tribes) and Judah to the South (consisting of Judah and Benjamin). For many years they were 1 nation, but with the death of Solomon God divided them into 2. But then in 722 BC the Assyrians destroyed the nation of Israel, and shortly after 609 BC when King Josiah died Nebuchadnezzar came against Judah to destroy it. > > So the enemies of God could say that God's chosen people had been destroyed, "They're almost gone now, they're almost completely destroyed. There's no way God's promise that a great multitude as great as the sand of the sea could ever come to fruition now." And they are even taking part in this destruction because they want them to be destroyed: "...thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them." ^jer33-23-24 > [Jeremiah 33:25](Jeremiah%2033.md#^25), [26](Jeremiah%2033.md#^26) note > > God is teaching here that things aren't as as they seem. Here God effectively doubles down on His Promise, using similar language that we just read in verses 20-22 (and [Jer 31:35](Jeremiah%2031.md#^35), [36](Jeremiah%2031.md#^36), [37](Jeremiah%2031.md#^37)), that this will happen, it is absolutely guaranteed, God's Law *will* be fulfilled. And when God doubles down, as we saw earlier when He doubled the dream of Pharoah twice in [Genesis 41:32](Genesis%2041.md#^32), it means that it is established by God and He will shortly bring it to pass. > > From our vantage point, this demonstrates how blessed it is to wait upon the Lord ([Lam 3:25](Lamentations%203.md#^25), [26](Lamentations%203.md#^26)). And from the perspective of progressive revelation, we've corporately had to wait until today to even begin to understand how these promises would become fulfilled. But even today, we cannot *see with our physical eye* that this is being fulfilled. The whole business is on a one-to-one basis as God saves many individuals throughout the world. > > But finally, the only time when the world *will* see the ultimate proof of all of God's promises, that there is a great multitude that no man can number like the sand of the sea, will be the day of the rapture. At that time they will witness people all over the world being caught up to be with Christ. But until then, we can only see all of this spiritually through the Word of God, not with our literal, physical eyes. It all boils down to trust in the Word of God. God *will* have mercy on them, we can utterly depend on it that God will do what He has promised. ^jer33-25-26 Tags: #Old_Testament #Jeremiah #Gods_judgment_on_His_people #FSI