Wednesday 15 February 2023

Background

Have you ever broken a contract?

Most of us will have entered into a contract at some point. In these contracts legal promises are made between the two parties about what each will do. There are also penalties that exist that come into effect on both sides if the contract is broken. If we fail to pay a bill on time or break the contract early there are repercussions; if the contractor fails to deliver goods they will also face penalties.

This few verses at the end of chapter 16 bring to a close the longest single oracle in the Old Testament. God has spelt out in detail the faithless nature of the people and the judgement that they face. Verse 59 affirms how God will deal with God's own people; God will remain faithful to the covenant made with them even though the people have not. The covenant worked two ways and God's promises would be fulfilled if the people remained faithful to God. The fact that the people had chased after idols and broken these promises meant God was bound by the covenant to impose those curses mentioned within it also.

Despite all of this, God now reaffirms a commitment to the covenant promises made in Israel's youth. In the verses that follow God reiterates the promise to keep the covenant and allow the people to again live under its blessing. This is a message of great hope to a people who seem to have none. Even though they have been faithless, God will still be faithful.

To Ponder:

• Have you ever been affected by a broken contract?
• How is the promise of God restoring God's own covenant with the people a message of hope?
• How does this give you hope today?

Previously published in 2020.