Jeremiah 31:35
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
The verse introduces the LORD of hosts as the Creator and Ruler who supplies the sun as light by day and the fixed ordinances of the moon and stars as light by night, and who stirs the sea so its waves roar. Read with the next two verses, it pledges that the seed of Israel shall continue as a nation before Him forever unless those ordinances of sun, moon, stars and sea depart from before Him. It further pledges that He will not cast off Israel for all it has done unless heaven above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath. This enduring order of creation is thus made the basis and measure of Israel's continuance as a nation before God.
The promise does not give individuals an unconditional guarantee of salvation or of God's favor regardless of conduct and sin. It is conditional on obedience and is joined to the covenant of writing His law in the heart, being their God, and forgiving their sins, so that His favor belongs to those who live in covenant with Him. The Jews misapplied the promise by claiming it without limit and deceiving themselves, flattering themselves that because of past favor and mercy God would still retain them as His favored people and shower special blessings on them notwithstanding their sins and iniquities. They depended for salvation on being called the natural descendants of Abraham.
Descent, past blessings, and national status did not excuse sin or prevent judgment and bondage. Worthiness of Abraham's name requires following his righteous example, doing his works, and bringing forth good fruit. God could raise up other children of Abraham in their place when fruit was lacking. When the word was read as John preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was at hand, it stirred the whole nation with intense interest. The Holy Spirit was present to convict of sinful practices, so that the honest in heart desired the blessing of salvation and submitted to what was essential to obtain an inheritance in that kingdom.