Jeremiah 3:14-19

“Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. “Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the LORD, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore. “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers. “But I said: ‘How can I put you among the children And give you a pleasant land, A beautiful heritage of the hosts of nations?’ “And I said: ‘You shall call Me, “My Father,” And not turn away from Me.’

Jeremiah 3:14-19 NKJV

This passage seems to be a prophecy of the new earth as well as a prophecy for Israel after the captivity. God promises to bring them to Zion and to give them shepherds that would feed them knowledge and understanding. This prophecy can be fulfilled today for those who accept God's will for them. He wants to teach us and give us knowledge and understanding. This prophecy was also fulfilled in Jesus. There was never a better shepherd for us than Jesus when He came to earth and walked among men, teaching us with the knowledge of God for us and providing an understanding of the what God wants for His faithful followers.

The only way I can see verses 16-17 being fulfilled is in the new earth after the world is cleansed. Perhaps had Israel and Judah returned to the the land of promise and had let God lead them in the paths He desired and fully given God control of their lives it could have been fulfilled in the days of Jesus. Because they failed at that time to live up to the ideal God had for them, this prophecy has yet to be completed. It is a glorious picture of what God desires for His people. No more will we need the symbol of the Ark of the Covenant for the presence of God, God will set His throne on the earth and every nation will be gathered before Him to praise and worship Him. We will no longer have wicked hearts, we will allow God to cleanse us and remake us into His image. Truly those who choose to follow God instead of following their own sinful desires will have a future that will be glorious.

God promises to heal the rifts between His people. No longer will anger and bitterness with each other keep us apart. Together His children will come as one people and inherit the land He has prepared for us. We should let God even now prepare our hearts by taking away the animosities and grudges with each other and replace the evil feelings that lead us to hate instead of love, with the love that God has for each of us and the love that God wants us to share with each other. When each of us will call God 'My father' and not turn away from Him, then true happiness will fill each of our lives.

Lord,

Help me today to allow You to guide me with Your shepherds. As I look forward to the fulfilling of Your promise of a glorious future, help me to allow You to prepare my heart so that I can share Your love and Your vision with those around me.