When Jacob Is Devoured
Psalms 79
August 9, 2020
We just finished a very helpful panoramic look
At Israel’s history in Psalms 78.
We were overwhelmingly reminded that while Israel may have been
The most unfaithful people the world has ever known,
They still have the most faithful God.
Psalms 78:37-39 “For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.”
That of course did not mean that God was some sort of pushover.
• It was well documented throughout the Psalm that at times God was exceedingly angry.
• Israel’s history gives plenty of examples of where the wrath of God broke out against His people.
But the point was that even in His wrath and discipline,
• God never treated them as they deserved.
• He always remembered grace.
• He always showed compassion.
• He never failed to be merciful or to forget His covenant with them.
And those are very important reminders.
That history needs to be etched in your mind permanently.
WHY?
Because during times of distress
You may just have to hold on to that truth by faith.
That is what we see occurring here in the 79th Psalm.
Asaph is sort of having to hold on to the lesson he just proclaimed.
For Asaph is now writing from the carnage
Of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem.
There are really 2 Psalms that seem to address this terrible scene more than any others.
• Psalms 137 which remembers the destruction of Jerusalem from the captives who are now in Babylon.
• And Psalms 79 which looks upon the destruction of Jerusalem from Israel.
This Psalm has the feel of the book of Lamentations.
• Where one can almost picture Jeremiah sitting down on a rock, looking at the rubble that was once the city; seeing the smoke of the temple rising; gazing upon the dead children in the streets; and breaking out in tears.
It is a Psalm that gives great encouragement
How to pray and sing during days of intense discipline.
IF YOU’LL REMEMBER
Israel fell into terrible and intense idolatry during the days of the Kings.
• It really all started with the foreign wives of Solomon who turned his heart away
to worship false gods.
• That crack in the foundation eventually became idolatry of every kind,
• Including the burning of children in the fire to Molech,
• Even the setting up of a pagan altar in the very temple court in Jerusalem.
And throughout the years
God warned that there would be discipline for such sin.
TURN TO: JEREMIAH 16:1-13
Israel had sinned greatly and God would punish them severely for it.
• He actually promised that He would destroy their cities, burn their temple, and
kick them out of the land for 70 years.
However, even before the destruction occurred
God revealed that the main purpose of such distress
Was not condemnation, but rather sanctification.
God would use this to purify His people.
Jeremiah 29:10-14 “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”
Israel was currently idolatrous and rebellious,
But 70 years in Babylon would change that.
It doesn’t make the current distress any less severe,
But it does afford hope even in the midst of it.
This is what Asaph is holding on to.
Not necessarily the promise God revealed through Jeremiah,
But rather THE REALITY OF WHO GOD IS TO ISRAEL.
I want to be careful trying to read our circumstances into the text,
For they are certainly different.
However, we face at our current time
A greater threat to the operation of the American church
Than I have ever known at any other time in my life.
Currently, we have an unprecedented event occurring in America,
• Where a state government is locked in a legal battle with a church over whether or not they are allowed to assemble and worship.
• John MacArthur’s “Grace Community Church” has been threatened with fines and arrest if they do not stop worshiping.
• In Portland, OR last week at a protest rally, protestors gathered to burn Bibles.
• One of the leaders of the “Black Lives Matters” movement has called for the destruction of all white churches in America saying they, with their white European depiction of Jesus are a major source of systemic racism and must be destroyed.
Perhaps like no other day the church
Is about to walk into a period of hardship
Like we have never known in our lifetimes.
REALITIES LIKE THAT CAUSE US TO SIT UP AND
Pay attention to laments like this with a little more concern.
For here we have a living example of faith in the midst of destruction,
And though our situation may be different from theirs,
There are still things very valuable to us to learn.
So let’s work through this 79th Psalm
And see a picture of faith during such hardship.
We’ll break this Psalm down into 4 points tonight.
#1 HIS CRY
Psalms 79:1-4
Just to read that Psalm paints an overwhelming scene of shock and awe.
The things described here were not supposed to be able to happen.
• Foreign armies were not supposed to be able to invade.
• The Temple was not supposed to be defiled.
• Jerusalem was not supposed to be burned.
• Dead bodies were supposed to be buried.
It is just an atrocious scene of carnage and ruin.
(1) “O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; They have defiled Your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.”
We have often read that sort of mocking chant from Jeremiah 7,
• When Jeremiah promised judgment
• The people scoffed saying, “The temple of the LORD, the temple of the
LORD, the temple of the LORD”
The idea was that regardless of how bad things got,
Nothing was going to happen because
God wasn’t going to let His temple be destroyed.
And even among those who saw a need for God’s discipline,
Discipline to this degree was certainly not expected.
We remember Habakkuk who lamented the sin of his people.
Habakkuk 1:3-4 “Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.”
Habakkuk knew the sin of his nation was severe
And he knew (even prayed for) the purifying punishment of God.
But when God told Habakkuk that this punishment would entail the bloodthirsty Chaldeans who would
• “come for violence” (1:9)
• “collect captives” (1:9)
• “mock at kings” (1:10)
• “heap up rubble” (1:10)
It was more than Habakkuk could handle.
Habakkuk 1:12-13 “Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. You, O LORD, have appointed them to judge; And You, O Rock, have established them to correct. Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up Those more righteous than they?”
The point is, even among those who knew discipline was needed,
Discipline to this degree was still a shock.
THEY DID NOT EXPECT THAT
A foreign nation would enter and destroy everything.
The AFTERMATH was equally shocking.
(2-3) “They have given the dead bodies of Your servants for food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem; And there was no one to bury them.”
Death as one thing, but this was DEATH WITH DISHONOR.
Perhaps you remember Jehoiakim, one of Judah’s evil kings.
• It was during his reign that Daniel and his friends were taken.
• It was at the end of his reign that Ezekiel and 10,000 captives were taken.
But he was an evil king and as a result,
God promised a disgraceful burial for him.
Jeremiah 22:18-19 “Therefore thus says the LORD in regard to Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, “They will not lament for him: ‘Alas, my brother!’ or, ‘Alas, sister!’ They will not lament for him: ‘Alas for the master!’ or, ‘Alas for his splendor!’ “He will be buried with a donkey’s burial, Dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”
It was disgraceful and dishonorable to not be buried.
• And yet as Asaph looks around that is what he sees.
• He sees the vultures and the beasts feasting on the dead bodies of the slain in Jerusalem.
• It was a horror and a disgrace.
For Asaph says “there was no one to bury them.”
It is just a horrible scene, summed up in verse 4.
(4) “We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to those around us.”
• Not only do we suffer, but we are also mocked.
• We are mocked as the slaughtered people of God.
And yet, that also contributes to the confusion of the entire event.
It’s not just that the nations did this to Israel,
BUT ULTIMATELY IT IS THAT THEY DID THIS TO GOD.
Notice how Asaph described it.
• “invaded YOUR inheritance.”
• “defiled YOUR holy temple”
• “given the dead bodies of YOUR servants for food to the birds”
• “The flesh of YOUR godly ones to the beasts of the earth.”
It is just a horrible scene where a pagan enemy came in
And did things that no one thought could be done.
The only point of application or explanation that can be made here
IS THE SEVERITY OF GOD’S WRATH AND JUDGMENT.
Jeremiah said people would die without burial for their rebellion
And Asaph saw it happen.
God warned; they had rejected, and God did exactly as He said He would.
• Rebellion and idolatry were not tolerated.
• Their apostasy was not left unpunished.
• God raised up a cruel people to invade His land just like He said He would.
And we certainly learn that God is to be feared.
• It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
• We certainly learn not to take lightly His judgment.
But at the same time WE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED
For Asaph knows that this is a result of the judgment of God.
• Certainly he must know that God knows all about the scene in Jerusalem.
• Are we to assume that God wasn’t aware that Babylon invaded?
• Are we to assume that God wasn’t aware that vultures were eating the dead?
• Of course not.
God knew that, and Asaph knew God knew that.
Well if God knew what happened, and God even caused what happened,
Then what it is the purpose of Asaph telling Him?
It reveals what Asaph believed about God.
• Obviously Asaph believed God to be compassionate.
• Obviously Asaph believed that God still cared for His people, even in judgment.
Asaph had written
Psalms 78:38-39 “But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.”
It’s obvious that Asaph believed that,
Or why even approach God with a cry at all?
That’s a good reminder.
Even in unimaginable destruction we still lift our cry to God
Because we believe He is compassionate.
Remember David during his times of punishment…
Remember when he sinned with Bathsheba and God promised to take the life of the child?
• David fasted while the child was sick, but after he died then David arose,
washed his face and ate.
• Those watching David thought this strange.
But David explained why he did it.
2 Samuel 12:22 “He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’”
Remember when David sinned by numbering Israel?
• God gave him the choice of 7 years of famine, or fleeing 3 months from his
enemies, or 3 days of pestilence.
David chose the pestilence and here is why:
2 Samuel 24:14 “Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”
IT IS A GOOD REMINDER.
The nature of God does not change.
Even in wrath, He remembers mercy and Asaph continues to cry to Him.
His cry
#2 HIS CONFUSION
Psalms 79:5-7
As we said, so much of what happened in Jerusalem was unexpected.
• God had clearly articulated exactly what would happen through Jeremiah,
• But still it seemed so far-fetched that no one believed it.
Well now it did.
And not only was it the SEVERE ATTACK of Babylon,
But the LINGERING EFFECTS of it.
We’ve often said how many times the lingering effects of hardship
Are harder for us to handle than the initial tragedy.
And that is part of Asaph’s confusion here.
(5) “How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?”
Clearly to Asaph, the punishment had been severe enough.
• But since there was no relief, it was assumed that God must still be angry.
• Asaph couldn’t figure out why there was still no relief.
• God was still angry and God was still jealous.
Furthermore, Asaph couldn’t figure out
Why all of God’s rage seemed pointed at Jerusalem
While the pagan nations that did the slaughtering seemed unscathed.
(6-7) “Pour out Your wrath upon the nations which do not know You, And upon the kingdoms which do not call upon Your name. For they have devoured Jacob And laid waste his habitation.”
That’s sort of like Habakkuk’s problem isn’t it?
• Why would you focus all your wrath on us, when they are clearly worse than
us?
That continues to be a source of confusion, even in the church.
• When we live in a world of paganism.
• When we see extreme immorality on the rise.
• When the shedding of innocent blood is applauded.
• When unnatural behavior is celebrated.
And then we see the God’s people under attack.
• We tend to wonder, why in the world would God be disciplining us?
• Certainly He must see that we are the good guys (comparatively speaking).
But there is a very clear answer for this.
Amos 3:2 “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
Luke 12:47-48 “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”
TURN TO: EZEKIEL 16:1-34
Why would God be so angry at Israel?
Because He had done for Israel what He had done for no one else.
We certainly lament and abhor adultery in our world.
None of us celebrate the sexual immorality that is rampant in our culture.
BUT BE HONEST.
Which would bother you more,
The adultery of your neighbor or the adultery of your spouse?
1 Peter 4:17-18 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?”
In Ezekiel 8& 9,
• Ezekiel is transported back to Jerusalem in a vision where he saw the extreme idolatry of the people.
• He then saw the executioners coming into the city to slaughter.
• There was a man with a writing case who was to put a mark on the forehead of everyone who mourns over sin.
• And then everyone without a mark was to be destroyed.
Ezekiel 9: 6 “Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary.” So they started with the elders who were before the temple.”
Asaph is confused that God’s ANGER HAS LINGERED.
Asaph is confused that God’s JEALOUSY HAS ENDURED.
Asaph is confused that God HAS NOT DEALT with the really wicked.
But the reality is that God has always promised
More severity to those who know better.
God has always promised more severity
To those who promised loyalty and then didn’t offer it.
But even in that we still learn more from Asaph here.
• The fact that Asaph would cry to God even though God was the cause of the destruction told us that Asaph believed God to be compassionate.
• Now we say that the fact Asaph expressed confusion as to the ongoing judgment of Israel and the escape of Babylon reveals to us that Asaph also believed God to be just.
If you don’t believe God to be just then the suffering of the saints
And the prosperity of the wicked isn’t surprising.
Remember when God promised the destruction of Sodom?
Genesis 18:24-26 “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”
Abraham was perplexed by the revelation
Because he knew God to be just.
Asaph is here in similar confusion.
• He clearly believes God to be just and so he addresses this perceived injustice.
God is not unjust, Israel deserves what they are receiving,
But you still understand the faith of Asaph.
He clearly believes God to be compassionate.
He clearly believes God to be just.
We see that in his cry and his confusion.
#3 HIS CONFESSION
Psalms 79:8-10
WE LOVE THIS BECAUSE
Even though Asaph does not understand all that God is doing
Or why God is doing it that way,
There is one thing Asaph does know…
REPENTANCE IS NEEDED.
He starts in a way that is confusion to some.
(8) “Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us; Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us, For we are brought very low.”
It’s fun to read commentaries on such a verse because
Some will read that statement and say, “God absolutely punishes us for the iniquity of our parents”
And they quote:
Exodus 20:4-6 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
Exodus 34:7 “who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
Deuteronomy 5:9 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,”
And then others will read Psalms 79:8 and say, “God absolutely DOES NOT punish the iniquity of the fathers the children.”
And they will quote:
Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.”
Ezekiel 18:1-4 “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children’s teeth are set on edge’? “As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.”
So what in the world are we supposed to do with that?
LET ME EXPLAIN IT.
1) Every man stands before God for his own sin, and every man gives an account for his own sin.
That is actually fundamental to the gospel.
• That is the problem with the “Social Justice” movement of our day
• And the WOKE mentality where everyone is a victim.
• It eliminates responsibility for personal sin and seeks to blame everything on a past generation.
That won’t fly at the judgment.
2) Our fathers can create a culture that is makes sin more accessible, more tolerable, and more approvable.
Their decisions affect future generations by making sin easier,
But it doesn’t change that men still die for their own sin
Even if someone else makes it easier.
JUST TO CLARIFY OUR PRESENT DAY.
The main question our society askes is: “Am I a victim?”
The question they should ask is: “Am I a sinner?”
The reality is that past generations may affect your culture,
But the choice to sin in that culture is totally yours.
(In a way then both are guilty)
ASAPH SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND BOTH.
ON ONE HAND he and his people lived in a culture of sin that was created by past generations.
• Past generations had led them into idolatry and wickedness and created a culture where such sin was easy.
• Asaph lamented those sins and asked for deliverance from them.
(8) “Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us; Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us, For we are brought very low.”
ON THE OTHER HAND Asaph also realized his own sin in the midst of that culture, for which he also needed forgiveness.
(9) “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.”
We might say that our fathers had a hand in the sinful culture we live in,
But ultimately our sin is our fault.
Asaph sought forgiveness and deliverance from both.
And he sought that forgiveness for the glory of God.
“Help us, O God of our salvation, FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME”
“forgive our sins FOR YOUR NAME’S SAKE”
AND THEN HE CONTINUES.
(10) “Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight, Vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed.”
It is REMINISCENT of Ezekiel 36 where God promises
To restore Israel to their land, but makes no bones about why.
Ezekiel 36:22-23 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. “I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.”
Asaph understands that.
The worst effect of the sin of God’s people
Was not the punishment it caused.
The worst effect of the sin of God’s people
Was the blasphemy it caused.
THIS IS WHY ASAPH IS REPENTING.
He longs for forgiveness and restoration,
Not just so that the consequences are removed,
But also so that God is once again glorified.
Yet again we see what Asaph believes.
• We know he believes God to be compassionate.
• We know he believes God to be just.
• And now we see he clearly believes God to be merciful.
Why else would you ask for forgiveness from a God
Whom you have blasphemed among the nations?
Clearly Asaph believes that no matter their sin,
God is merciful and will forgive it.
That is a good thing to remember during such times.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
His Cry, His Confusion, His Confession
#4 HIS COMMITMENT
Psalms 79:11-13
The final 3 verses serve as sort of an expectation and a promised response to that expectation.
• Even though Jerusalem is in ashes.
• Even though survivors are being led away in chains.
• Even though the birds are feasting on the dead.
Asaph still has an expectation.
It is an expectation that God will act on behalf of His people and will AVENGE them on the enemy.
(11-12) “Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are doomed to die. And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom The reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.”
He does not yet see what he asks for, but it is clear that he still believes in the loyalty of God.
• He still believes God will preserve the prisoners.
• He still believes God will punish the wicked.
He does not believe that God has forsaken His covenant.
He does not believe that God has forgotten His people.
• God will “preserve those who are doomed to die”
• And God will “return to our neighbors sevenfold in their bosom the reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.”
He still trusts that, even in a dark day.
And so Asaph can also make this pledge.
(13) “So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture Will give thanks to You forever; To all generations we will tell of Your praise.”
In view of the scene of verse 1, that is a pretty remarkable promise.
• Asaph looks to the day when God’s sheep will again be in God’s pasture.
• Asaph looks to the day when God’s sheep will be overcome with gratitude.
• Asaph looks to the day when old men will tell stories of God’s deliverance.
That is an optimistic statement in light of the destruction all around him.
• It is eyes of hope.
• It is faith in God’s loyalty.
• It is a commitment to worship God even in the darkness.
And those are good reminders for facing dark days.
And when we read Psalms 79,
It is important that we read it through the EYES OF THE GOSPEL.
The church today IS IMMUNE from the condemnation of God.
Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
There is no wrath from God for His church
For Jesus bore and satisfied the full wrath of God for all our sin.
WE DO NOT FEAR GOD’S WRATH.
Now, as His church,
We are NOT IMMUNE from living in the effects of a sinful culture.
God’s wrath is clearly displayed on our culture today.
• People say that God will judge America.
• Look, if you believe Romans 1 then you have to say that God IS judging
America.
Romans 1:28-32 “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”
Clearly we see that today and we live under
The devastating effects of the sinful choices of our fathers.
We also know that that as His church,
We are NOT IMMUNE from the sanctifying discipline of the Lord.
He will allow trials and suffering to purify us as we live in a sinful world.
So learn from Asaph
And even when you don’t understand what you see
Then remember this.
• Trust that God is compassionate.
• Trust that God is just.
• Trust that God is merciful.
• Trust that God is loyal.
That is who God is.
And with eyes of hope praise God in the midst of the struggle
Because regardless of the trial,
Through Christ we know that we will be redeemed.
Jeremiah 31:27-34 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. “As I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD. “In those days they will not say again, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ “But everyone will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge. “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Regardless of the current destruction, the eternal plan has not changed.
We praise God for that.
