慈愛的神，永遠的約(耶三)中英bilingual

你去向北方宣告說：耶和華說：背道的以色列啊，回來吧！我必不怒目看你們；因為我是慈愛的，我必不永遠存怒。耶和華說：背道的兒女啊，回來吧！因為我作你們的丈夫…（參耶 3：12、14） 

在前一章(耶二)中，神透過先知耶利米對猶大百姓發出一連串嚴厲責備，指出他們離棄活水泉源，轉向虛無的偶像；然而到第三章，我們卻看見神語氣漸漸柔和下來，一再向祂的百姓發出呼喚：回來吧！回來吧！這不是一位憤怒審判者的聲音，而是一位慈愛父親的呼喚。 

「因為我是慈愛的，我必不永遠存怒。」神雖恨惡罪惡，卻始終愛著祂所揀選的兒女。如同浪子回頭的比喻，那位天天倚門而望的父親；又如失羊的牧人，不辭辛勞翻山越嶺，只為尋回那隻迷羊。神用各樣智慧的方法，在不同的人生階段，以不同的方式引導人回到祂身邊。 

年過半百之後，再回首，回顧年輕時，自己曾心高氣傲，凡事憑著自己的意思行，不知不覺離神越來越遠；等到想回家的時候，卻發現腳步早已軟弱，不知道該如何回頭。感謝神，祂沒有放棄我，祂賜給我2個可愛的孩子，讓我再次想起神的愛。正如父母不會忘記自己的兒女，神也從未忘記我。藉著陪伴孩子來到教會聚會的時光，我也一步一步重新回到神的身邊。心中的浪子終於想起父親，回到天父家中那份久違的安全感與平安，不再漂浮不定，而是找到真正的依靠。直到今日，這份從神而來的力量，仍然支撐著我面對繁忙的工作與生活。 

我也必將合我心的牧者賜給你們；他們必以知識和智慧牧養你們。（耶 3：15）  

耶利米所處的年代，猶大國正一步步走向滅亡；然而神並沒有停留在審判的信息中，而是藉著先知帶來救贖與盼望。在主前六百多年，神已經預告祂要與百姓建立一個更深、更完全的約，這約不再只是刻在石版上的律法，而是藉著耶穌基督被釘的救恩，刻在人的心版上。因此耶和華說：人必不再提說耶和華的約櫃，不追想，不記念，不覺缺少，也不再製造。（參耶 3：16b） 因為神同在的記號，不再只是外在的約櫃，而是神親自住在人心裡。當基督完成救恩，聖靈住在信徒裡面，我們便能隨時得著提醒、安慰與幫助。  

這正是耶利米後來所預言的「新約」： 

耶和華說：日子將到，我要與以色列家和猶大家另立新約。我要將我的律法放在他們裡面，寫在他們心上；我要作他們的神，他們要作我的子民。（耶 31：31、33b） 

神不只是要人遵守律法，更要人認識祂、愛祂，並與祂建立真實的關係。今天的我們，正活在這新約的恩典裡。藉著神的話語、聖靈的帶領，以及教會這個屬靈的大家庭，學習彼此相愛、彼此扶持。我們也能深深體會耶利米所看見的盼望。 

那時，人必稱耶路撒冷為耶和華的寶座；萬國必到耶路撒冷，在耶和華立名的地方聚集。他們必不再隨從自己頑梗的惡心行事。（耶 3：17） 

By陳婉萍

真耶穌教會石牌教會、天母教會線上講道

石牌教會https://www.youtube.com/@TJChurchShipai

天母教會https://www.youtube.com/c/TJC_Tianmu/featured

The Gracious God, the Eternal Covenant (Jeremiah 3)  

June 30, 2026

“Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not look at you in anger. For I am gracious,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not be angry forever. Return, you faithless sons,’ declares the LORD; ‘For I am a master to you…’” (cf. Jeremiah 3:12, 14, NASB)

In the previous chapter (Jeremiah 2), God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah with serious rebuke, pointing out them had forsaken the fountain of living waters and turned to worthless idols. Yet in chapter three, we see God’s tone gradually soften, as He repeatedly calls out to His people: “Return! Return!” This is not the voice of an angry judge, but the call of a loving Father.

“For I am gracious,” He says, “I will not be angry forever.” Though God hates sin, He never ceases to love His chosen children. It is like the parable of the prodigal son, with the father waiting at the door each day; or like the shepherd who tirelessly climbs mountains to find the lost sheep. God uses wisdom in every stage of life, in different ways, to guide people back to Him.

Looking back after passing fifty years of age, I recall my younger days when I was proud and self-willed, drifting farther and farther from God without realizing it. When I finally wanted to return home, I found my steps weak and did not know how to turn back. Yet I thank God that He did not give up on me. He gave me two lovely children, reminding me again of His love. Just as parents never forget their children, God never forgot me. Through accompanying my children to church services, I gradually returned to God’s side. The prodigal in my heart remembered the Father, and I found again that long-lost sense of safety and peace—not wandering anymore, but finding true reliance. Even now, this strength from God sustains me in the midst of busy work and life.

“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15, NASB)

In Jeremiah’s time, Judah was heading toward destruction. Yet God did not stop at messages of judgment; He also brought words of redemption and hope through the prophet. More than six hundred years before Christ, God had already foretold that He would establish a deeper and more complete covenant—not merely laws written on stone tablets, but salvation through Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, written on the tablets of human hearts. Therefore the LORD said: “They will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again.” (cf. Jeremiah 3:16b, NASB) For the sign of God’s presence would no longer be the ark, but God Himself dwelling in human hearts. When Christ completed salvation and the Holy Spirit dwelt in believers, we could receive guidance, comfort, and help at all times.

This is the “new covenant” later prophesied by Jeremiah:

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah… I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33b, NASB)

God does not merely want people to keep laws, but to know Him, love Him, and build a true relationship with Him. Today we live under this grace of the new covenant. Through God’s word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the  church as a spiritual family, we learn to love and support one another. In this way, we can deeply experience the hope Jeremiah saw.

“At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the LORD,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem for the name of the LORD; and they will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil heart.” (Jeremiah 3:17, NASB)

By Chen Wan-Ping