Man is Responsible For His Own Sins
February 4, 2020
Commentary
The nation’s future hope will contrast sharply with her present misery (vv. 15-20). Rachel, the mother of Benjamin, continues to live through the descendants of that tribe (v. 15). In N.T. fulfillment her weeping is prompted by the cruel and barbarous act of Herod, who had all the babies killed because of his insane jealousy over the Christ Child. These babies are not lost forever, though, and will be honored as members of the covenant nation (v. 16). In all likelihood these women were crying because they would never see their children again. The Lord gave them hope (v. 17). Jeremiah ended this section by recording Israel’s cry of contrition that she will recite when she returns to the land (v. 18). Though she had strayed she will repent (vv. 19-20).
“Signposts” are stone markers, and “landmarks” are poles or beacons pointing the way to Zion (v. 21). Every believer should keep a road map home to God, setting for himself spiritual goals to lead him in seeking God’s plan for his life and maintaining divinely assigned priorities (v. 22). When God will restore the nation of Israel, He will also reverse the fortunes of Judah (vv. 23-26). He promised to provide a new beginning for His covenant people. He would populate the nations of Israel and Judah with the offspring of men and animals (vv. 27-28). The Hebrews had accused God of injustice and cruelty in the punishment of children for the sins of their fathers (vv. 29-30). Actually, the children had surpassed their fathers in their wickedness. Under the New Covenant, there would be no misunderstanding because every individual must bear the responsibility for his own sins (Deut. 24:16; Ezek. 18:2, 20).
Application
The people tried to blame God’s judgment on the sins of their fathers but each person is held accountable for their own sins. God holds me accountable for what I do and my only hope is in Him.
Jeremiah 31:15– 30 (NET)
15 The Lord says: “A sound is heard in Ramah, a sound of crying in bitter grief. It is the sound of Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are gone.”
16 The Lord says to her, “Stop crying! Do not shed any more tears. For your heartfelt repentance will be rewarded. Your children will return from the land of the enemy. I, the Lord, affirm it!
17 Indeed, there is hope for your posterity. Your children will return to their own territory. I, the Lord, affirm it!
18 I have indeed heard the people of Israel say mournfully, ‘We were like a calf untrained to the yoke. You disciplined us and we learned from it. Let us come back to you and we will do so, for you are the Lord our God.
19 For after we turned away from you we repented. After we came to our senses we struck our thigh in sorrow. We are ashamed and humiliated because of the disgraceful things we did previously.’
20 Indeed, the people of Israel are my dear children. They are the children I take delight in. For even though I must often rebuke them, I still remember them with fondness. So I am deeply moved with pity for them and will surely have compassion on them. I, the Lord, affirm it!
21 I will say, ‘My dear children of Israel, keep in mind the road you took when you were carried off. Mark off in your minds the landmarks. Make a mental note of telltale signs marking the way back. Return, my dear children of Israel. Return to these cities of yours.
22 How long will you vacillate, you who were once like an unfaithful daughter? For I, the Lord, promise to bring about something new on the earth, something as unique as a woman protecting a man!’”
23 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says, “I will restore the people of Judah to their land and to their towns. When I do, they will again say of Jerusalem, ‘May the Lord bless you, you holy mountain, the place where righteousness dwells.’
24 The land of Judah will be inhabited by people who live in its towns, as well as by farmers and shepherds with their flocks.
25 I will fully satisfy the needs of those who are weary and fully refresh the souls of those who are faint.
26 Then they will say, ‘Under these conditions I can enjoy sweet sleep when I wake up and look around.’
27 “Indeed, a time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will cause people and animals to sprout up in the lands of Israel and Judah. 28 In the past I saw to it that they were uprooted and torn down, that they were destroyed and demolished and brought disaster. But now I will see to it that they are built up and firmly planted. I, the Lord, affirm it!
29 “When that time comes, people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but the children’s teeth have grown numb.’ 30 Rather, each person will die for his own sins. The teeth of the person who eats the sour grapes will themselves grow numb.
Illustration: Lucy Says to Linus Why Should I do Anything For You
In a Peanut’s cartoon Lucy and Linus were sitting in front of the television set when Lucy said to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water.” Linus looked surprised, “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.” “On your 75th birthday,” Lucy promised, “I’ll bake you a cake.” Linus got up, headed to the kitchen and said, “Life is more pleasant when you have something to look forward to.” (D. Greg Ebie – Sermon Central)