Jeremiah 49 continues the section of Jeremiah’s work known among bible students as theOracle Against the Nations(chapters 46-51). Such oracles against other nations and tribes are common in Old Testament literature, prophecy especially. When we look at what Jesus said aboutnationsin comparison, though, we find a fascinating contrast that highlights the difference between the Old Testament world view, as articulated by the prophets, and the New Testament world view, as articulated by Christ. Whereas the Old Testament prophets were often directed to pronounce doom and judgment against failed or rebellious nations and political entities, the most significant reference to nations we find in Jesus’s teaching comes from the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of allnations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28).

That’s not an oracle against the nations; it’s an oracle FOR the nations!

Jesus’s command truly shows the difference between the old covenant’s judgmental world view and the new covenant’s redemptive world view. The Great Commission also provides a reason for the Church to carefully guard against mixing nationalism or secular politics with the doctrine of the church. Jesus’s teaching is apolitical. And most certainly, he was not a nationalist, apart from being the head of the other-worldly Kingdom of Heaven.

So again, we see the contrast between the old world view and the new world view. Aren’t we blessed to live in the light of the new? I think of the chorus from a contemporary gospel song: “Jesus, you make all things new.”

And Jesus not only makes all things new, he makes all things better!