RTW 2023

Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted— for her children are gone.” But now this is what the LORD says:

Jeremiah 31:15b-16a

I thought this was neat information from Enduringword.com.

Throughout the Bible, God reveals His plan of redemption through a series of covenants. After the extended story of the fall and ruin of humanity in Genesis 1-11, the story of the covenants begins.

• The Abrahamic Covenant promised to Abraham and His covenant descendants a land, a nation, and a blessing to extend to all nations (Genesis 12:1-3).
• The Mosaic or Sinai Covenant gave Israel the law, the sacrifices, and the choice of blessing or curse (Exodus 19).
• The Davidic Covenant that promised an everlasting dynasty, a perfect ruler, and the Promised Messiah (2 Samuel 7).
• God’s plan of redemption through the covenants is completed and perfected in the New Covenant. Over the span of Old Testament passages that announce the new covenant (especially Ezekiel 11:16-20, 36:16-28, and 37:21-28), we see the promises of gathered Israel, of cleansing and spiritual transformation, and the reign of the Messiah.

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To walk the way to restoration, like Israel we have to:

• Realize God’s discipline is a result of our rebellion and is generated in His heart of love toward me.
  ‘You disciplined me severely…,
  Jeremiah 31:18a
• Yield to God’s discipline, don’t be stubborn about His correction, and is generated in His heart of love toward me.
  ….like a calf that needs training for the yoke
  Jeremiah 31:18b
• Acknowledge restoration with God is only possible through God’s work, and is generated in His heart of love toward me.
  Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the LORD my God.
  Jeremiah 31:18c
• Accept my responsibility in the sin, and turn from my sin earnestly from my heart of love toward Him.
  I turned away from God, but then I was sorry. I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’
  Jeremiah 31:19

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Restoration is the goodness of God, from His heart of love toward me.