Loved By and Drawn To Him

“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:

‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’” (Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV)

There are some today for whom the nature of Israel as a chosen nation is a sore subject. Those who support the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement would take issue as to the exceptional nature of Israel as God’s chosen nation, especially as to its claims to the land it occupies.

While not addressing that directly, it must be said that they misunderstand the eternal nature of the God of Israel and His commitment to His people. Over and over again, throughout both the Old and New Testaments, His love for and commitment to the nation of Israel is clearly expressed. This verse is one brief instance of that expression.

Most of Jeremiah is filled with woes, or warnings, about the bad things which will happen to Israel because of her intransigence and unwillingness to follow Yaweh faithfully. Within and without the nation, skeptics thought that God had abandoned them, never to return again as their Protector and Provider.

In this chapter, God declares through His prophet, Jeremiah, that His is an everlasting love, which has been from of old (began long ago). He says He has loved (and continues to love) them with an never-ending love (until the end of time). As well, He has drawn (and continues to draw) them to Himself; not driving, but drawing them, as a lover might woo their beloved.

An even more poignant example of this dedication is found in Isaiah.

“But Zion said,

‘The LORD has forsaken me,

And my Lord has forgotten me.’

‘Can a woman forget her nursing child,

And not have compassion on the son of her womb?

Surely they may forget,

Yet I will not forget you.

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

Your walls are continually before Me.’” (Isaiah 49:14-16 NKJV)

“I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands,” the Lord told His people. This kind of love and compassion extends to us as the adopted seed of Abraham, according to Paul (see his discussions in Romans 4 and elsewhere). We, too, are loved with an everlasting love, continually drawn to the Father’s heart. What an amazing thought! God’s loving and caring wooing of us is from everlasting to everlasting. O, what a Savior!

Related scriptures

“And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 4:37-38 NKJV)

“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NKJV)

“‘I have loved you,’ says the LORD.

‘Yet you say, “In what way have You loved us?”

Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’

Says the LORD.

‘Yet Jacob I have loved;

But Esau I have hated,

And laid waste his mountains and his heritage

For the jackals of the wilderness.’” (Malachi 1:2-3 NKJV)

“Since you were precious in My sight,

You have been honored,

And I have loved you;

Therefore I will give men for you,

And people for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4 NKJV)

“Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:28-29 NKJV)

“Then the LORD said to him:

‘Call his name Jezreel,

For in a little while

I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu,

And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.’” (Hosea 1:4 NKJV)

“Thus says the LORD:

‘The people who survived the sword

Found grace in the wilderness—

Israel, when I went to give him rest.’” (Jeremiah 31:2 NKJV)

“Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,

And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.” (Psalms 36:10 NKJV)

“‘Remember these, O Jacob,

And Israel, for you are My servant;

I have formed you, you are My servant;

O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!’” (Isaiah 44:21 NKJV)