5. Why did Jehovah foretell the new covenant?

⁵ We can thus begin to see why, even while the Law covenant was still in force, God had Jeremiah point forward to another covenant, the new covenant. Out of his love and kindness, Jehovah wanted to make permanent help available to more than one nation. Through Jeremiah, God said regarding those in this future covenant: “I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more.” (Jer. 31:34) Though that promise was given in Jeremiah’s day, it holds out a wonderful prospect for all mankind. How?

6, 7. (a) How do some feel about their sinfulness? (b) Why can considering the new covenant encourage you?

⁶ We are still imperfect and often become aware of this reality. That was illustrated by a brother who was fighting against a significant personal problem. He comments: “When I relapsed, I felt terrible. I thought that I could never atone for what I had done. I found it hard to pray. I would start by saying, ‘Jehovah, I don’t know whether you are going to hear this prayer, but . . .’” Some who have had such a relapse or have committed a sin have felt as if “a cloud mass” were blocking their prayers from reaching God. (Lam. 3:44) Others have been haunted by memories of past wrongdoing, years after the incident. Even otherwise exemplary Christians may say things that they later regret.​—Jas. 3:5-10.

⁷ None of us should feel that we could never stray into inappropriate conduct. (1 Cor. 10:12) Even the apostle Paul realized that he erred. (Read Romans 7:21-25.) In this connection, the new covenant should come to mind. God promised that one key aspect of the new covenant would be his remembering sins no more. What an incomparable benefit! Foretelling that must have truly moved Jeremiah, and we can similarly be moved as we learn more about the new covenant and see how we can benefit from it.

8, 9. What did it cost Jehovah to make forgiveness of sin possible?

⁸ As you come to know Jehovah better, you increasingly realize how kind and merciful he is to imperfect humans. (Ps. 103:13, 14) In foretelling the new covenant, Jeremiah highlighted that Jehovah would “forgive their error” and remember sin no more. (Jer. 31:34) You can imagine that Jeremiah might have wondered how God would accomplish that forgiveness. At least he could understand that in speaking of a new covenant, God meant that there would be an agreement, or contract, between Him and humans. Somehow, by means of that covenant, Jehovah would accomplish what he inspired Jeremiah to outline, including forgiveness. More details would have to await God’s further revealing of his purpose, including what the Messiah would do.

⁹ You may have seen parents who spoil their children, not disciplining them. Would you expect Jehovah to be like that? Not at all! This is clear from the way the new covenant took effect. Instead of just canceling sins, God scrupulously met his own standard of justice by providing the legal basis for forgiving sins, doing so at great cost to himself. You can gain insight into this by noting what Paul wrote when discussing the new covenant. (Read Hebrews 9:15, 22, 28.) Paul mentioned “release by ransom” and said that “unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place.” In the case of the new covenant, this did not mean the sacrificial blood of bulls or goats as offered under the Law. No, the new covenant was made operative by Jesus’ blood. Based on that perfect sacrifice, Jehovah could ‘forgive error and sin’ lastingly. (Acts 2:38; 3:19) But who would be in this new covenant and gain that forgiveness? Not the Jewish nation. Jesus said that God would reject the Jews, those who offered animal sacrifices under the Law, and He would turn to another nation. (Matt. 21:43; Acts 3:13-15) That proved to be “the Israel of God,” composed of Christians anointed with holy spirit. In basic terms, the Law covenant was between God and natural Israel, while the new covenant is between Jehovah God and spiritual Israel, with Jesus as its Mediator.​—Gal. 6:16; Rom. 9:6.

10. (a) Who is the “sprout” for David? (b) How can humans benefit from the “sprout”?

¹⁰ Jeremiah depicted the coming One, the Messiah, as the “sprout” for David. That is fitting. Even while Jeremiah was serving as a prophet, David’s royal family tree was cut down. However, the stump was not dead. In time, Jesus was born in the line of King David. He could be called “Jehovah Is Our Righteousness,” highlighting God’s deep concern for that quality. (Read Jeremiah 23:5, 6.) Jehovah allowed his only-begotten Son to experience suffering on earth and to die. Then Jehovah​—in harmony with justice—​could apply the value of the ransom sacrifice of the “sprout” for David as a basis for forgiveness. (Jer. 33:15) This opened the way for some humans to be declared “righteous for life” and anointed with holy spirit, becoming parties to the new covenant. As further evidence of God’s concern for righteousness, others who are not directly in that covenant can and do benefit from it, as we will see.​—Rom. 5:18.