Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 31:1-26.
Jeremiah continues his Book of Comfort with reminders of what the LORD did for His people in the Exodus; the return from exile would be another act of God’s undeserved everlasting love for His people. This salvation would bring the return of joyful sounds in the land of Israel as the LORD acted on behalf of His dearly loved child. Jerusalem would once again be the place of feasting. Though the exile was a deeply grievous event, the LORD promised return and resurrection for His people. His discipline and words of judgment were an act of love in order to show His mercy. Such a comforting promise, fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ, brought Jeremiah hope in his day even as it still continues to bring us hope for eternal life in the Savior.
“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.
