Jeremiah 3

14–18 Here the Lord again appeals to the northern Israelites to return to Him on the basis of His covenant relationship with them.“ . . . for I am your husband,” says the Lord (verse 14). The covenant at Sinai had joined together the Lord and His people as a husband is joined to his wife.

Then the Lord said that He would choose one or two Israelites from each town and clan and bring them to ZION (Jerusalem). The Lord knew that most would not return to Him; but a few would. These would be the “remnant” of Israel, out of which He would form a new people, a faithful people²⁰ (see Isaiah 10:20–23 and comment). He would give them godly shepherds (leaders), and He would increase their numbers (verse 15).

In those days (verse 16)—that is, in the days of the MESSIAH (Christ)—all nations (verse 17) would gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord²¹ (see Isaiah 2:1–2 and comment). “In those days” there would be a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34); no longer would worship be external and require physical objects like the ark of the covenant (see Exodus 25:10–22). The ark had been central to the religious life of Israel; it had symbolized God’s “throne” (Exodus 25:22; 1 Samuel 4:4). But in the days of the Messiah the ark would be no longer needed or remembered;²² there would no longer be animal sacrifices, no blood to be sprinkled on the atonement cover of the ark (see Leviticus 16:2,11–17). The Messiah Himself would offer His body once for all as the atoning sacrifice for mankind’s sin²³ (John 1:29; Romans 3:21–25; Hebrews 7:27; 10:1–18). Instead of the ark being called God’s throne, Jerusalem itself, representing God’s faithful people, would be called His Throne, the symbol of His presence among His people (verse 17). “In those days” Judah and Israel would be reunited, and they would return from a northern land of exile and settle in God’s promised land once more.²⁴

19–25 In verses 19–20, we see the heart of God longing for His people, His sons and daughters. He thought Israel would be faithful, but He had been disappointed. “. . . you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel”²⁵ (verse 20). Yet God longs to have His unfaithful people return to Him so that they might be cleansed and cured of their backsliding (verse 22).

Jeremiah describes the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel (the northern kingdom); they appear to be ready to repent (verse 21). They agree to return to God: “Yes, we will come to you” (verse 22). They acknowledge that from their youth they have turned to shameful gods (see the book of Judges); the worship of such “gods” has consumed not only their harvests but also their animals and even their children²⁶ (verse 24). The people’s confession of sin seems genuine and complete (verse 25). However, we must assume it is the faithful “remnant” that is confessing here, because the majority of Israelites never did repent.

It is likely that Jeremiah described the repentance of the northern kingdom in order to provoke the people of Judah to repent also. Surely God longed to hear these words of repentance from His people, both from Israel and from Judah. And He longs to hear our words of repentance today, whenever we have strayed from Him.