Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"I made a covenant with your fathers"
Text: Jeremiah 34:13
THE ORIGINAL COVENANT
The original covenant that God gave to Israel covered many aspects. One of the features involved the matter of freeing a Hebrew slave after six years of servitude.
“Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel:
‘I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying,
‘At the end of seven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother,
who has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years,
you shall let him go free from you.’
But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear.””
Jeremiah 34:12-14
1. “Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying”
a) There were divided opinions.
i) Some were for freeing Hebrew slaves.
ii) Others were against it.
b) The LORD had to step in to give Jeremiah His word on the matter.
2. “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘I made a covenant with your fathers in the day
that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying'”
a) The historical context of the old covenant.
b) This was remembered:
i) There was a covenant made between God and Israel.
ii) This was given when God brought Israel out of bondage to Egypt.
3. “‘At the end of seven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother, who has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you.’ But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear”
a) A Hebrew slave may serve only up to six years.
b) On the seventh year he is to be set free.
c) The reasons behind this law:
i) Israel had suffered as a slave for life in Egypt. The nation must not perpetuate slavery.
ii) Moreover, the Hebrew slave is “a brother”. One does not enslave a brother!
d) However, Israel had not obeyed the LORD in this matter.