God’s Measuring Line – Jeremiah 31:39

Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.

Jeremiah 31:39 (NIV)

“The measuring line will stretch from there straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn to Goah.”

Jeremiah 31:39 (MSG)

“The master plan will extend west to Gareb Hill and then around to Goath.”

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“The measuring line will go out farther straight ahead to the hill Gareb; then it will turn to Goah.” -AMPLIFIED

“God announced that the literal city of Jerusalem would be rebuilt, using specific geographic markers to clearly explain that He intended that literal, material Jerusalem be understood and not symbolic or spiritual Jerusalem. All of it shall be holy to the LORD.” ~David Guzik

The Lord has told Israel that one day, in the time of the Messiah’s reign, the city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt. And we are learning that it will be bigger and more beautiful than it ever was:

“Look, the days are coming”—the Lord’s declaration—“when the city from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate will be rebuilt for the Lord.” -Jeremiah 31:38 (CSB)

As we look further into the description of the New Jerusalem, we find the Lord mentioning a measuring line.

“A measuring line will stretch out to the hill of Gareb and then sweep across to Goah.” -(VOICE)

The Lord is nothing but accurate, He is detail oriented. And we find Him giving Israel the landmarks which will be the enclose the perimeter for the new city.

“The days are coming when Jerusalem will be rebuilt for me. Everything from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate will be rebuilt. The measuring line will stretch from the Corner Gate straight to the hill of Gareb. Then it will turn to the place named Goah. There is the whole valley where dead bodies and ashes are thrown. It will be holy to the Lord. And all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley will be included. They are on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate.” -Jeremiah 31:38b-40a

Some of these landmarks were/are known, others are not. What we gather though is that there is to be an extension, and enlargement of the city. And even Zechariah records the enlarging of this new city.

“Gareb and Goath are out of the limits of this city. The latter is supposed to be Golgotha; that is, the heap of Gotha, which, being the place where our Lord was crucified, was without the city. These hills were a little to the north-west of the old city walls: but are destined to be within the new city.” ~Adam Clarke

“So this is what the Lord says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy. My Temple will be rebuilt,’ says the Lord of heaven’s armies. ‘And the measuring line will be used to rebuild Jerusalem.’” -Zechariah 1:16 (ICB)

A measuring line will be used to ensure that the city meets the criteria and standard of the Lord.

“… and from the hill of Gareb at the southwest, across to Goah on the southeast.” -(TLB)

In the book of Isaiah, we find the Lord declaring that His measuring line is justice and goodness.

“I will use justice as a measuring line. I will use goodness to measure by. The lies you hide behind will be destroyed as if by hail. They will be washed away as if in a flood.” – Isaiah 28:17 (ICB)

Amos records for us a conversation he had with the Lord about a plumb line, which is used to measure vertical accuracy.

“This is what the Lord showed me: The Lord stood by a straight wall. He had a plumb line in his hand. The Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “See, I will put a plumb line among my people Israel to show how crooked they are. I will not feel sorry for them any longer.” -Amos 7:7-8 (ICB)

We find that God has a standard, Scripture teaches us this,

 “In the past you did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. But now you are children of God who obey. So do not live as you lived in the past. But be holy in all that you do, just as God is holy. God is the One who called you. It is written in the Scriptures: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”” -1 Peter 1:14-16 (ICB)

If we desire to spend eternity with God, then our name must be written in the book of life. If it is not, then we have failed to meet His standard, and we will be judged:

“Then I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. Earth and sky ran away from him and disappeared. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And the book of life was opened. There were also other books opened. The dead were judged by what they had done, which was written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. Each person was judged by what he had done. And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” -Revelation 20:11-15 (ICB)

When we stand before the throne of God, we will have no excuse if we have failed to measure up to His standard, because He has given to us His holy Word, Scripture, which is intended to teach us His ways, so that we can walk in them:

“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” -2 Timothy 3:15-16 (MSG)

“Our love for God is measured directly by our obedient to His Word.” ~Robert Adzewoda

My friend, God’s measuring line, His standard, is not like the world’s. His expectations are that we are to be holy. We are to live according to His Word, which gives to us His standards. Scripture reminds us that He is just, He is good, and He is fair. Please, do not gamble your eternity away just so you can enjoy temporary satisfaction. God is calling each of us to a life that is holy and acceptable to Him. And He does so, because He is looking forward to spending an eternity with His Bride. Remember this: “Christ died so that he could give the church to himself like a bride in all her beauty. He died so that the church could be pure and without fault, with no evil or sin or any other wrong thing in it.” -Ephesians 5:27 (ICB)

“Do not be shaped by this world. Instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you. And you will be able to know what is good and pleasing to God and what is perfect.” ~Paul (Romans 12:2 (ICB)

“My Prayer:

Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, your expectations for your children are high. You are looking for those who are willing to forsake the pleasures of this world in order to live lives that are holy and acceptable to you. You are looking for those who will humbly accept your way of doing things. You have given to us your holy Word as the standard, your guidelines for us to follow. Lord, help me to remember that the things of this world are only temporary, but there is an eternity with you waiting, if I accept your way of doing things. Please, help me to live a life that meets your standard, so that when I stand before you, I will be invited to join you for all of eternity. Thank you, Lord.