“They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, ‘Come — and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant — that shall not be forgotten.’” Jer.50:5
This verse describes the attitude and motivation of the true people of God. Eventually everyone of God’s chosen — throughout all the generations of history — suddenly — are awakened by the Holy Spirit to look toward “Zion” and express with resolve what is here spoken.
The particular context that is immediately upon Israel is the prophecy of Jeremiah of their captivity in Babylon. Herein is proclaimed the gospel of God’s judgment that will most certainly come upon the Babylonians — even though God used them to take His people captive for their unfaithfulness to Him. Hence, they have been carried off a long way from Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. And, vs.33 relates the judgment of God upon His elect: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts: ‘The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together — and all that took them captives held them fast! They would not let them go.’”
God’s purpose is revealed from what is written in vs.34: “Their Redeemer is strong! The Lord of hosts is His name! He shall throughly [or, through out] plead their cause — that He may give rest to the land — and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.” And, our Lord does this very thing for His elect people of every nation, kindred, tongue and tribe — throughout every generation of the history of fallen humanity!
All the people of God without exception — by God’s grace — by God’s Spirit — say: “Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual [or, lit., eternal] covenant that shall not be forgotten.” It is because of the eternal redemption obtained for us by our Kinsman Redeemer — the eternal Lord and Savior, Himself — that we then by faith do join ourselves to Him in accordance with the mandates of the eternal covenant — that has been cut and ratified among the counsels of the almighty Triune God! “But without faith — it is impossible to please Him! For He that cometh to God must believe that He is — and, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!”
Therefore this covenant union — secured by Christ our Redeemer — “shall not be forgotten” — by us. This, in fact, is what we celebrate as often as we come together around the Lord’s Table! Nor will it ever be forgotten by the Lord of hosts! He might as well forget Himself — as forget His “perpetual covenant”!
So then, according to the gospel of the glory of Christ, all God’s chosen people — throughout all time — by God’s great grace — with great resolve — will come out from sin’s enslaving captivity — into eternal covenant union with Him — and unto the eternal rest that is only to be found in heavenly Zion. Praise and glory to Christ!
For Christ’s Glory Only,
John Carpenter
