One 4) key passage in Jeremiah is Ch. 31: 31-34; review this passage and reflect
back on the discussion of the Mosaic covenant (from Exodus and Deuteronomy) and
the Davidic covenant. What does this passage suggest about a change in the
understanding of the covenant relationship and expectations?
Jeremiah 31: 34-35 suggests that the "covenant" relationship would change from an
external relationship based upon appointed leaders and rules of conduct to one of internal
interpersonal connection with God based upon following one's heart modified by God
tempered by his forgiveness when his people make mistakes.
Specifically, this is said in Jeremiah 31: 33 which states "... I will put my law within
them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people..." and Jeremiah 31: 34 which adds "... they shall all know me, from the least to of
them the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their
sin no more."
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with
their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypta
covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will
put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other,
Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says
the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.