God never forgot His covenant with Israel

Jeremiah 24:5-7


It's a bad thing when we lose everything, right? Not necessarily. It depends on what we are in God's eyes.


In 586 BC Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25:10). The temple was destroyed, Jerusalem sacked, and many of the prominent people taken into captivity. Why had God allowed it to happen? Because of the sin and disobedience that prevailed amongst the people.


Normally such a misfortune would mean the end of the nation. In this case, however, the nation was Israel, the people God chose to carry His message to the world. He had a covenant agreement with them, and He intended to keep it.


A brief look at those who were left behind. They were of poorer quality than those who were taken to Babylon in exile. In time they intermarried with the conquerors and other nationalities in the country, ultimately forming the part-Jewish people known as the Samaritans. They were not allowed to share in the rebuilding of Jerusalem, nor were they considered to be heirs of the covenant.


The problem God had with Israel was the idol worship and the prevalence of sin. This had to stop, which is why God made Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon His instrument for the punishment of Israel. Those who went into exile were the cream of the nation. God's purpose was that the best of the nation be be protected in Babylon and, after seventy years, to miraculously bring them back to Israel.


While in Babylon, they learned that He alone is to be honoured as God. (Since returning from exile the Jews have never reverted to the making and worshipping of idols).


A good analogy is to perceive the nation of Israel as representing individual believers. Although a born again believer, one of God's 'chosen', I also had a period of 'backsliding'. My 'exile' from fellowship with God lasted six years - years of confusion and despair, wrongly thinking I had committed the unpardonable sin. The very day I realised there was a way back to God I acknowledged my sin and asked Him for forgiveness. This He readily granted, and I gladly returned to fellowship with Him once again.


Most Jews don't realise there is a 'New Covenant' between God and man, including the Jews. Since the sacking of Jerusalem in 70AD there have not been any sacrifices in the Temple; that has not mattered, for God sacrificed His only Son Jesus, to bring in this New Covenant. We now become sons and daughters of God through Jesus Christ, Whose sacrificial death paid for all our sins. All we have to do now is believe in Jesus alone for our salvation. This requires that we acknowledge our sinfulness and ask God to forgive us. He will gladly wash away all our sins making us a fit habitation for Himself, come into our hearts, and help us to serve Him for the rest of our days.


What a pleasure!

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