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Jeremiah-34

Words of Covenant: A Devotional Study on Jeremiah 34​

Introduction​

As we dive into the book of Jeremiah, chapter 34, we witness a decisive moment in the account of Israel's captivity in Babylon. At the divine instruction of Jeremiah, King Jehoiakim releases the Jewish slaves to fulfill God's covenant with them. This historical event provides us with invaluable spiritual insights about the nature of God's intended covenant with us.

Section 1: The Context (Jeremiah 34:1-2)​

Devotional Thought: The account of King Jehoiakim's decision to release the Jewish slaves comes after a period of oppression imposed on the Israelite people. God's commandment dictated that they be freed every seven years, hence, the word "Sabbath" here is referring to this regular-release decree. We struggle with the same cycle between servitude and freedom, and Jeremiah 34 demonstrates how God's covenant demands obedience and liberation for His people.

Reflection Questions:

  • How often do you consciously reflect on the cycles of servitude and freedom in your life?
  • How do you relate to the commands God imposes on His followers about freedom, release, and captivity?

Section 2: The Decree (Jeremiah 34:3-10)​

Devotional Thought: Jeremiah delivered God's decree to King Jehoiakim, who listened and granted freedom to the Jewish slaves. Reading through the decree-material, we discern that God has commanded this covenant keeping for ages. It's essential to reflect on God's covenant and our commitment to it.

Reflection Questions:

  • What covenant keeping means a lot to God, and how do you fulfill it in your life?
  • Are there ways in which you're failing in your covenant-keeping with God?

Section 3: The Caveat (Jeremiah 34:11-16)​

Devotional Thought: Promptly after the slaves' release, King Jehoiakim changed his mind and violated God's covenant. Jehoiakim, like all of us, has the potential to fall into self-serving proclivities; a critical reflection on our lives is necessary.

Reflection Questions:

  • Have you ever unknowingly violated God's covenant?
  • How do you repent from a broken covenant with God and seek reinstatement?

Section 4: The Consequence (Jeremiah 34:17-22)​

Devotional Thought: God holds us, His people, to a high covenant-obligation, and any violation demands justice. Jeremiah's account indicates that God's covenant must be executed rigorously, and He expects us to, too.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you view God's pursuit of justice?
  • Are you taking part in upholding the covenant in your life?

Conclusion:​

Jeremiah's 34th chapter not only bears historical significance but also provides an insightful lesson about God's covenant with His people. We should strive to uphold God's covenant and remain vigilant to avoid breaking it. We can take comfort in God's commitment to His covenant while also acknowledging the weight of violations. Let us honor God's covenant, reflecting its essence to create a relationship built on trust and devotion.