Lesson 25 of 26 in a series on Old Testament Vistas. This sermon on Jeremiah and Ezekiel was presented June 19, 2011, at Palm Desert Church of Christ, by Dale Wells.
3. God’s Promise to Israel Exodus 19:5-6 NIV Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
11. A Bad Heart Leads To Bad Behavior Matthew 15:18-19 NIV But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
12. The Heart is Wicked Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
14. Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,
15. Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD.
16. Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
17. Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
19. Power to Change Human Hearts Jeremiah 24:7 NIV I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
20. Power to Change Human Hearts John 3:3-7 NET. Jesus replied, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother's womb and be born a second time, can he?"
21. Power to Change Human Hearts Jesus answered, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must all be born from above.'
22. Power to be Obedient Children 1 John 3:1, 5-6 NIV How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. …
23. Power to be Obedient Children (5) But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
25. Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
26. Powerful Enough to Give Life Ezekiel 37:5-6 NIV This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
27. Powerful Enough to Give Life I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"
28. Note of Hope Throughout the OT Joel 2:28-29 NIV “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30. Established on the Cross 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
31. Established on the Cross In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
32. Spirit at Pentecost 1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
33. New Covenant: God Changes People Revelation 21:3-5 NIV And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
34. New Covenant: God Changes People He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
35. New Covenant: God Changes People Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
36. New Covenant: God Changes People It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD.
37. New Covenant: God Changes People "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
38. New Covenant: God Changes People No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Notes de l'éditeur
25. Jeremiah and Ezekiel
God promised Abraham land, descendants, blessingIn order to achieve this, God established the Covenant through Moses
Exodus 19:5-6 — “I will be their God, and they will be my people”Exodus 19:5-6 NBLH 'Ahora pues, si en verdad escuchan Mi voz y guardan Mi pacto, serán Mi especial tesoro entre todos los pueblos, porque Mía es toda la tierra. (6) 'Ustedes serán para Mí un reino de sacerdotes y una nación santa.‘ …
Much of the History of Israel is How Abraham’s Descendants FailedNorthern kingdom fell quickly into idolatryGod sent prophets like Elijah (condemned syncretism with Baal) and Hosea (“faithlessness” like that of an unfaithful wife)
Assyria in 722 B.C.
Southern kingdom saw some signs of revival — Hezekiah, Josiah
Micah — condemned external religionIsaiah —sins would be forgiven through the death of God’s Servant
Babylonians in 586 B.C. into exile for 70 years
Jeremiah and Ezekiel Prophesied during the Time of ExileJudgment and hope — return after the Exile
One of the Specific Themes in Jeremiah is “Heart”Jeremiah understands, and expresses, perhaps more clearly than any other prophet, that the heart is primary.Heart is the center of our will, thinking, decision making, passionsAll decisions are made here — priorities set, values established
Behavior is important, but secondaryHeart leads — feet simply follow.There are reasons for why we do what we do — even if don’t know themAsk a child: “Why did you do that?” Answer with a shrug of their shoulders “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart” (Matt 15:18).Matthew 15:18-19 NBLH "Pero lo que sale de la boca proviene del corazón, y eso es lo que contamina al hombre. (19) "Porque del corazón provienen malos pensamientos, homicidios, adulterios, fornicaciones, robos, falsos testimonios y calumnias.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 NBLH Más engañoso que todo, es el corazón, Y sin remedio; ¿Quién lo comprenderá? (10) Yo, el SEÑOR, escudriño el corazón, Pruebo los pensamientos, Para dar a cada uno según sus caminos, Según el fruto de sus obras.Major stumbling block in Evangelism — not our jobMost people believe the heart is basically good — environment, poverty, lack of education, anything but me.Simply wrong — core of the human dilemma is the wicked human heartCreated good by God but bent by sinWillful, rebellious against God — Left to self will lead to sin“Sinners by choice”If they don’t accept — never see necessity of salvationOnly solution for the human condition is to deal first with the heart (≠ behavior)
Jeremiah 31:31-34 NBLH "Vienen días," declara el SEÑOR "en que haré con la casa de Israel y con la casa de Judá un nuevo pacto, (32) no como el pacto que hice con sus padres el día que los tomé de la mano para sacarlos de la tierra de Egipto, Mi pacto que ellos rompieron, aunque fui un esposo para ellos," declara el SEÑOR. (33) "Porque éste es el pacto que haré con la casa de Israel después de aquellos días," declara el SEÑOR. "Pondré Mi ley dentro de ellos, y sobre sus corazones la escribiré. Entonces Yo seré su Dios y ellos serán Mi pueblo. (34) "No tendrán que enseñar más cada uno a su prójimo y cada cual a su hermano, diciéndole: 'Conoce al SEÑOR,' porque todos Me conocerán, desde el más pequeño de ellos hasta el más grande," declara el SEÑOR, "pues perdonaré su maldad, y no recordaré más su pecado."
How is the “New Covenant” New? Different from the “Old” Mosaic Covenant?Debate — I believe they are more alike than they are different
New Covenant comes with the divine powerWritten internally on heart, not externally on stone
1. Power to change my heartGod’s promise re the exiles in Babylon – Jer. 24:7Jeremiah 24:7 NBLH 'Les daré un corazón para que Me conozcan, porque Yo soy el SEÑOR; y ellos serán Mi pueblo y Yo seré su Dios, pues volverán a Mí de todo corazón.
John 3:3-7 NBLH Jesús le contestó: "En verdad te digo que el que no nace de nuevo no puede ver el reino de Dios." (4) Nicodemo Le dijo: "¿Cómo puede un hombre nacer siendo ya viejo? ¿Acaso puede entrar por segunda vez en el vientre de su madre y nacer?" (5) Jesús respondió: "En verdad te digo que el que no nace de agua y del Espíritu no puede entrar en el reino de Dios. (6) "Lo que es nacido de la carne, carne es, y lo que es nacido del Espíritu, espíritu es. (7) "No te asombres de que te haya dicho: 'Tienen que nacer de nuevo.'
“Regeneration” — through God’s Spirit, new creatures, born again – from above (John 3) – A necessity because of the wickedness of the heartἄνωθεν (anōthen) has a double meaning, either "again" or "from above" (BDAG 92 s.v. ἄνωθεν). This is a favorite technique of the author of the Fourth Gospel, and it is lost in almost all translations at this point. John uses the word 5 times, in John3:3, 7, 31; 19:11, 23. In the latter 3 cases the context makes clear that it means "from above." Here (3:3, 7) it could mean either, but the primary meaning intended by Jesus is "from above." Nicodemus apparently understood it the other way, which explains his reply, "How can a man be born when he is old? He can't enter his mother's womb a second time and be born, can he?" The author uses the technique of the "misunderstood question" often to bring out a particularly important point: Jesus says something which is misunderstood by the disciples or (as here) someone else, which then gives Jesus the opportunity to explain more fully and in more detail what he really meant.“Born from above” is the same as “born of water and spirit” – and it’s mandatory, not optional.
2. Power to live as God’s obedient children — “Sanctification” (1 John 3:1, 5-6)John 3:1-6 NBLH Había un hombre de los Fariseos, llamado Nicodemo, prominente (principal) entre los Judíos. … (5) Jesús respondió: "En verdad te digo que el que no nace de agua y del Espíritu no puede entrar en el reino de Dios. (6) "Lo que es nacido de la carne, carne es, y lo que es nacido del Espíritu, espíritu es.
How Will God Do This?New Covenant is primarily about the heartA new heart empowered by God’s Spirit
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NBLH "Además, les daré un corazón nuevo y pondré un espíritu nuevo dentro de ustedes; quitaré de su carne el corazón de piedra y les daré un corazón de carne. (27) "Pondré dentro de ustedes Mi espíritu y haré que anden en Mis estatutos, y que cumplan cuidadosamente Mis ordenanzas.
This Spirit is so powerful that it can give life to a valley of dry bones“Dry bones” — very dead (physically and spiritually)Ezekiel 37:5-6 NBLH "Así dice el Señor DIOS a estos huesos: 'Voy a hacer que en ustedes entre espíritu, y vivirán. (6) 'Y pondré tendones sobre ustedes, haré crecer carne sobre ustedes, los cubriré de piel y pondré espíritu en ustedes, y vivirán; y sabrán que Yo soy el SEÑOR.'"
37:5-6 — “breath” and “Spirit” are the same wordIn the New Covenant, God’s Spirit is able to breathe life into those who arespiritually dead — change and empowerYou may have been praying for someone for a long timeCo-worker or neighbor — nothing seems to get throughSomeone claiming to be a Christian (family member) — living in sin — “Will they ever wake up and change?”
This is the Message of Hope that Carries through the Rest of the OTProphet Joel prophesied of the coming “Day of the Lord” (2:28-29)Joel 2:28-29 NBLH Y sucederá que después de esto, Derramaré Mi Espíritu sobre toda carne; Y sus hijos y sus hijas profetizarán, Sus ancianos soñarán sueños, Sus jóvenes verán visiones. (29) Y aun sobre los siervos y las siervas Derramaré Mi Espíritu en esos días.OT ends in Malachi with the promise that Elijah will announce the Day of the Lord
New Testament (“New Covenant”)Will see the John the Baptist is this Elijah
New Covenant Established on the Cross (1 Cor 11:23-26)1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NBLH Porque yo recibí del Señor lo mismo que les he enseñado: que el Señor Jesús, la noche en que fue entregado, tomó pan, (24) y después de dar gracias, lo partió y dijo: "Esto es Mi cuerpo que es para ustedes; hagan esto en memoria de Mí." (25) De la misma manera tomó también la copa después de haber cenado, diciendo: "Esta copa es el nuevo pacto en Mi sangre; hagan esto cuantas veces la beban en memoria de Mí." (26) Porque todas las veces que coman este pan y beban esta copa, proclaman la muerte del Señor hasta que El venga.
Just as the Old Covenant was accomplished through a sacrificial death of a lamb (10th plague) and memorialized through the Passover feastSo the New Covenant was accomplished through the death of the Lamb of God — Suffering Servant — and memorialized through the Lord’s Supper as a reinterpreted Passover —— (every Sunday)The forgiveness of Jer 31 and the New Covenant came at the expense of the death of God’s Son.
Spirit poured out on people at Pentecost (Acts 2)Hearts were changed — Lives were empowered to live within the New CovenantGod’s promise to Abraham of world-wide blessing fulfilledPurpose of the Old Covenant (Exodus 19:5-6) fulfilled in the New (1 Peter 2:9)1 Peter 2:9 NBLH Pero ustedes son linaje escogido, real sacerdocio, nación santa, pueblo adquirido para posesión de Dios , a fin de que anuncien las virtudes de Aquél que los llamó de las tinieblas a Su luz admirable.
The New Covenant is about God Changing PeopleHabakkuk’s message of faith was difficult because no divine powerHosea’s message of “faithlessness” was rampantly true — no divine powerHow are we to have faith and live faithful lives? - “So hard!”Jesus’ death brought about the New Covenant with its powerGod’s Spirit changes lives — born again — gives us a new heartEnable us to live as new creatures — Shema — Rev 21:3-5Revelation 21:3-5 NBLH Entonces oí una gran voz que decía desde el trono: "El tabernáculo de Dios está entre los hombres, y El habitará entre ellos y ellos serán Su pueblo, y Dios mismo estará entre ellos. (4) "El enjugará toda lágrima de sus ojos, y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más duelo, ni clamor, ni dolor, porque las primeras cosas han pasado." (5) El que está sentado en el trono dijo: "Yo hago nuevas todas las cosas." Y añadió: "Escribe, porque estas palabras son fieles y verdaderas."
Fulfillment of God’s purposes in creation — presence of God “People Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth.”
Fulfillment of God’s purposes in creation — presence of God — Jer 31:31-34Jeremiah 31:31-34 NBLH "Vienen días," declara el SEÑOR "en que haré con la casa de Israel y con la casa de Judá un nuevo pacto, (32) no como el pacto que hice con sus padres el día que los tomé de la mano para sacarlos de la tierra de Egipto, Mi pacto que ellos rompieron, aunque fui un esposo para ellos," declara el SEÑOR. (33) "Porque éste es el pacto que haré con la casa de Israel después de aquellos días," declara el SEÑOR. "Pondré Mi ley dentro de ellos, y sobre sus corazones la escribiré. Entonces Yo seré su Dios y ellos serán Mi pueblo. (34) "No tendrán que enseñar más cada uno a su prójimo y cada cual a su hermano, diciéndole: 'Conoce al SEÑOR,' porque todos Me conocerán, desde el más pequeño de ellos hasta el más grande," declara el SEÑOR, "pues perdonaré su maldad, y no recordaré más su pecado."
Do you know the Lord?Not knowing about him? But knowing him?!Your heart is bad – don’t give up – your heart is no different than mine & everyone else’s here.Our hearts are all bad – and they lead us into sin.But God promises a new heart – empowered by a new spirit – and pumping the blood of a new life.What god promises, he can and will deliver.A new birth – birth from above – birth of water and spirit – accompanied by full and complete forgiveness.I want that new heart, don’t you?