Come Follow Me 43

Come Follow Me Lesson 43

Introduction:

Jeremiah 1:10 How is it still a prophet’s job “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” How is this a mission in the church to all the world? How can this be individual instruction for each of us in our own lives?

Jeremiah 33:15 How does the Branch of Righteousness give us renewed hope, purpose, and ability for growth?

Jeremiah 31:31 What new covenant has the Lord made with us?

Jeremiah 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Life is a wonderful journey and a difficult process. We will make mistakes, but we have the opportunity to learn, to repent and to do better. We will have things that cause us sadness, but the Lord can “turn their mourning into joy”. Jeremiah 31:13

Lamentations, Book of

A book in the Old Testament, written by Jeremiah. It is a collection of poems or songs of grief because of the fall of Jerusalem and the Israelite nation. The book was written after the fall of the city about 586 B.C.

Personal Study: The Lord will bring Israel out of captivity and gather them.

How has it helped you to know that the Lord is always available to comfort you?

Jeremiah 31:15 How does it help you to know that he is aware of your sorrows, pains, and fears?

Look for the promises of the Lord to His people as you read. What promises has He extended to you?

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/30?lang=eng

In the last days, Judah and Israel will be gathered to their own lands—David, their king (the Messiah), will reign over them.

Vs 10-11 Though all evil kingdoms will be destroyed, yet the Lord will preserve Israel.

Vs 16-24 All blessings will be restored to Israel, which were taken from her, in that day.

Personal Study: “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

Even though Israel had broken their covenants, the Lord promised that He would make a new and everlasting covenant with them. Jeremiah 31:31; 32:40

Doctrine and Covenants 66:2 We have been blessed to be given and to receive the New and Everlasting Covenant. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the attendant blessings to the covenant are beautiful beyond compare.

New and Everlasting Covenant

Jeremiah 24:7 “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”

Hebrews 8:6–12 I look forward to this day: 10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/31?lang=eng

In the last days, Israel will be gathered—The Lord declares that Ephraim has the birthright as the firstborn—The Lord will make a new covenant with Israel, to be inscribed in the heart—Then all Israel will know the Lord.

This whole chapter is for us! All of Israel shall be remembered and be taken safely to the lands of their inheritance. Ephraim will be crowned with his blessings in Zion. I love this chapter.

Vs 1 The Lord will be the God of all the families of Israel, and we will be His people.

Vs 3 This is how will can also draw people unto us, like Jesus with everlasting love and lovingkindness. Learn to love and love to learn.

Vs 20 I am so thankful, as a daughter of Ephraim, for the mercy the Lord has on me and on my people, His people.

Vs 22 Israel sons and daughters do not need to fear the strength of other nations, we will be able to get around them. Have faith and move forward. Don't backslide. The Lord will take your hand and lead you.

Jeremiah 31:3 Do you feel the everlasting Lord of the Lord? Do you recognize His many kindnesses to you?

Every one of us will know the Lord. He will forgive all our sins and remember them no more.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 What does it mean to be part of God’s covenant people? What does the Lord promise us when we make and keep covenants with Him?

Jeremiah 31:33 Is His law written in your heart? How do you feel about the Savior?

Vs 31-34 As we obey the covenant which the Lord has extended to us and we have taken upon us, we will be blessed. We will keep the covenant and have His law, His love, within us. It will be written on our hearts, and seen in our countenances. He will be our God and we shall be His people.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/32?lang=eng

Jeremiah is imprisoned by Zedekiah—The prophet purchases land to symbolize the return of Israel to their land—The Lord will gather Israel and make an everlasting covenant with them.

37-42 The work of gathering is ongoing. We are becoming the people of God, seeking to do His will and to be of one heart. The everlasting covenant can help us accomplish this.

Have we accepted Him as our God. If we are among those that do good, he will plant us in this land with His whole heart and His whole soul.

 

We will receive all the good that He has promised us.

32:37–42 What does it mean to be part of God’s covenant people?

32:38–41 What does the Lord promise us when we make and keep covenants with Him?

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/33?lang=eng

Judah and Israel will be gathered—The Branch of Righteousness (the Messiah) is promised—The Seed of David (the Messiah) will reign forever.

Vs 14-18 The Lord's promises to us will all be fulfilled.

Personal Study: The scriptures have power to turn me away from evil.

How do you feel about the scriptures?
Why should we be grateful for scribes as well as for prophets?

How can we show the Lord that we value the scriptures?

My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/36?lang=eng

Baruch writes the prophecies of Jeremiah and reads them in the house of the Lord—Jehoiakim, the king, burns the book, and judgment comes upon him—Jeremiah dictates the prophecies again and adds many more.

Jeremiah 36:2–3 How many times have the scriptures helped people turn from evil to God? He gives us His words through prophets so that we can repent, be forgiven, and receive His blessings.

Vs 30-32 Jehoiakim was very foolish to burn the word of the Lord. The people were given a chance to hearken, and their king led them to destruction.

Personal Study: The Lord can relieve the sorrow we experience because of sin.

The messages in Lamentations 1 and 3 speak of rebellion and sin, and then repentance and forgiveness. We too can be forgiven when we come before the Lord with full purpose of heart.

Matthew 5:4 When we mourn to the Lord, and don’t vent and become puffed up in pride, we will find comfort in Him.

James 4:8–10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lam/1?lang=eng

Jeremiah laments the miserable condition of Jerusalem—Jerusalem herself complains of her deep sorrow.

Vs 4-5 Though Zion may now be afflicted because of her own transgressions and the great evil of the world around her; she will again be blessed, saved, and prospered.

Family Study: Emotions and Feelings

Lamentations 3:1–17 How do we feel when we sin?

21–25, 31–32 How do these verses influence you?

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lam/3?lang=eng

Alma 36:17–20 Alma, in his pain and sorrow, turn to Jesus and found relief and forgiveness.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lam/3?lang=eng

Jeremiah, speaking for Judah, laments the calamity but trusts in the Lord and prays for deliverance.

Vs 40-41 We are the ones who need to change and repent, not the Lord.