Title: God of Restoration/Jeremiah 30:18-24
Content * Text: Jeremiah 30:18-24, Luke 4:16-19, Revelation 21:1-7
The word ‘recovery (恢復)’ refers to the restoration of declining national tax, family, and illness to the same state as before. When we simply say that we become the same as before, we use “recovery” (回復).
In the Bible, the concept of healing (治癒) uses the term recovery (恢復).
The universe and mankind created by God the Creator failed to maintain the original form at the time of creation and lost or damaged their original form, experiencing the tragedy of Paradise Lost.
God the Creator grieves over the unfortunate history of sinful humans and is creating a work of restoration.
Because the tragedies of the universe and mankind stemmed from the sins of humans who disobeyed the will of God the Creator, God restores the entire creation of the world through human restoration.
Jesus Christ proclaimed human restoration as salvation, and the Apostle Paul expressed it as a “new creation.” The word ‘salvation’ is understood to mean that the broken relationship is restored and the relationship of life is reborn and eternal life is obtained. Also, the concept of ‘new creation’ means that existence is renewed, relationships are renewed, and the state is renewed to restore the original form, thereby reconciling the Creator with humans and nature and achieving Shalom.
In today's text, when the prophet Jeremiah received the word from God, the northern kingdom of Israel was already destroyed, and the southern kingdom of Judah was on the verge of destruction. While praying in prison, Jeremiah received a revelation of God's hope.
For Jeremiah, who had no choice but to deliver a desperate message, he was overjoyed. He proclaimed imminent judgment to the people of Judah who had sinned, and proclaimed the gospel of restoration with a new vision that the people of Judah who were judged in the midst of persecution would be saved if they repented after living in captivity. God punishes sin, and even if he beats a sinner, if he repents, he forgives him and brings him back to life. When we read the book of Jeremiah, it is easy to think only of the majesty of God. However, in chapters 30-33, we hear the voice of God's love for mercy and forgiveness. The prophet Jeremiah promised that the God of healing would restore the destroyed nation, the ruined temple, and the wounded people to establish the Messianic kingdom.
1. He promised to restore the nation (30:18, Revelation 21:1-7).
God has proclaimed the good news that ① the captives will be returned, ② the city will be rebuilt, and ③ the palace will be put back in its place. So there will be songs of thanksgiving and voices of joy from the people of Judah, so that they may prosper. And their people will not be reduced in number; they will become a glorified people, never to be despised any more, and their descendants will be restored and established as they were in the past (30:18-19).
2. He promised to heal wounds (30:17, Luke 4:16-19).
God said, ‘Why do you cry out for your wounds and complain that you are in great pain (verse 15)? There is no cure for your wounds, it cannot be healed, and it will never heal (vv. 12-13).
It is because of your sin that I have given you such chastisement. But now that you repent and cry out, I will truly heal you and heal your wounds’ (30:17). He also heals and heals the city of Jerusalem (33:6).
Our God is the one who binds up when it hurts (Job 5:18, Isaiah 30:36) and is like the righteous sun with a healing beam (Mal. 4:2). Through his public life, Jesus Christ was primarily responsible for healing those who were physically or mentally ill (Matthew 8:14, Mark 5:25-34).
3. He promised the restoration of the covenant (verse 22).
‘You will be my people, and I will be your God’ (30:22).
Israel is the covenant people established by the Sinai covenant (Exodus 24:7-8) and the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:16).
However, when Israel broke that covenant, they became a people abandoned by God. However, when Israel repents of their sins and returns to God, they will be restored to the covenant people and God will protect Israel (31:10-14).
conclusion. As a result of the restoration, sorrow and pain will disappear, and we will become healthy and honorable, and we will be able to live a life of joy and satisfaction (verse 19).
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the God of restoration. The people who live with the God of restoration always live with hope.