The point has already been made in Jeremiah 3:1–5 that there should really be no way for faithless Israel
or treacherous Judah
to be reconciled to the Lord. Certainly, the people have broken both the law and the terms of the covenant. So, how can the Lord call on faithless Israel
(and treacherous Judah
) to return to him? It will only be possible because the Lord is merciful
and he will not be angry forever.
Returning to the Lord is not going to happen because of any human achievement, but only because of the Lord’s relentless love in which he gives his people what they desperately need and not what they deserve.1
12 Va, crie ces paroles vers le septentrion, et dis: Reviens, infidèle Israël! dit l'Eternel. Je ne jetterai pas sur vous un regard sévère; Car je suis miséricordieux, dit l'Eternel, Je ne garde pas ma colère à toujours.