COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:27-34
The promise of a new covenant. Because of their sins, Yahweh sent Judah into captivity. Now in Babylon they are without a nation, homes, and temple. The time is coming for re-building the nation. This, too, is God's work. As the first step in re-building the nation, Yahweh promises a new covenant (testament). The old Mosaic covenant was broken by the people's sins. The new covenant is to replace the old one. It will be a covenant of spirit rather than of law, internal rather than external. The basis for this new covenant is the love of God who forgives and forgets their past sins.

Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5
Paul charges Timothy to teach and preach the Word. The overall concern of Paul is the preservation of the truth of the gospel in the co…