Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth"
Text: Jeremiah 31:22
A HIGHWAY TO THE NEW ISRAEL
A new Israel was being promised by the LORD. How would the returnees find their way to their new homeland? The LORD suggested that “signposts” and “landmarks” be set up to guide the returnees on their way to Israel. (The ancient days did not have “signposts” along the roads).
“Set up signposts,
Make landmarks;
Set your heart toward the highway,
The way in which you went.
Turn back, O virgin of Israel,
Turn back to these your cities.
How long will you gad about,
O you backsliding daughter?
For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth—
A woman shall encompass a man.”
Jeremiah 31:21-22
1. “Set up signposts, make landmarks”
a) In the ancient days, signposts and landmarks were made by travellers.
b) These were places that became memorable landmarks.
i) It could be a well (Genesis 16:14 {Beer Lahai Roi}).
ii) It could be a place (Genesis 28:19 {Bethel}).
iii) It could be a heap of stones (Genesis 31:47 {Galeed}).
c) The returnees would come in batches.
i) The first batch of returnees would make signposts for subsequent batches.
ii) The clear signposts would guide all travellers so that the road is like “a highway”.
2. “Set your heart toward the highway, the way in which you went”
a) All returnees must “set their heart” to return to their new homeland.
b) They must have their hearts steadfast as they travelled on “the highway”.
c) Technically, there were no “highways” as we know them today.
3. “Turn back, O virgin of Israel, turn back to these your cities”
a) This describes those who were easily discouraged along the road
to the new homeland.
b) Some wanted to return to Babylon, because the journey was rough and difficult.
The turning back phrase was not to return to Babylon.
c) This phrase was used to encourage the returnees to “return”,
i) To their “new” Israel.
ii) To their “new” cities!
d) The phrase “Virgin of Israel”
i) In this context it refers to an Israel that is young.
ii) New Israel would be afraid of many challenges along the way.
e) The way to victory is to have a heart that is set on returning to the new Israel.
4. “How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter?”
a) Israel needs to change completely.
b) The problem of backsliding must be addressed and dealt with.
The returnees must not “gad about” as their forefathers did in the past!
5. “For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth— A woman shall encompass a man”
a) The returnees must exercise faith in the LORD in this venture.
b) To return to a new homeland would indeed be “a new thing in the earth”.
c) It may be difficult to imagine but it would not be impossible.
d) In the past, a man would encompass a woman (protecting her).
e) In the future, God would so empower a woman that she can encompass a man
(protecting him)!