In this passage, Stephen emphasizes God's promise to Jeremiah that, despite the apparent desolation and judgment upon Jerusalem and Israel, God will accomplish great and unattainable things. Even when Jeremiah was imprisoned and the city was under siege, God's word assured him that He would turn captivity, restore the land, and establish a righteous branch from David—Jesus Christ—who will bring judgment and righteousness. Stephen highlights that God's covenants with David and the Levites are unbreakable, as certain as day and night. Jeremiah's obedience in buying land amidst destruction exemplifies faith in God's future promises, illustrating that God's plans often involve seemingly impossible events. Stephen stresses that God's answers to prayer may be 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait,' but He always fulfills His promises. He encourages believers to pray with faith, especially in times of helplessness, trusting that God will reveal great and hidden things beyond human understanding. The message also applies collectively to the Church, which may seem in ruin today, but God's promises remain firm. Believers are called to press on, possess their spiritual inheritance, and trust in God's faithful work, knowing that ultimately, the Lord of Righteousness will restore His people and His city, the New Jerusalem, in His perfect time.
God's promise to restore Israel and Judah after judgment.
The unbreakable nature of God's covenants with David and the Levites.
Jeremiah's obedience in buying land as a sign of faith in God's future plans.
God's answers to prayer may be 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait,' but He always fulfills His promises.
The importance of prayer and faith during times of distress and apparent hopelessness.
The collective hope for the Church's restoration and the coming of the New Jerusalem.
Believers are called to press on, trust God's promises, and remain faithful despite difficulties.
15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
17 For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; 18 Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually. 19 And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, 20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; 21 Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. 7 And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. 8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. 9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
10 Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast, 11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. 12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. 13 In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.
1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.