Jeremiah 31:1-6
What will this be like? Many would have wondered, many might have asked. It would be a time when they would find favor in the wilderness. Instead of wilderness wandering, it would be close relationship with the Lord. The love as shown and spoke of in the past (Dt 4:37) would be evident again. The unfailing kindness (Hosea 4:11) would be reminiscent of the past. There would be a rebuilding, it would be a celebration as they take up timbrels (Gen 31:37; Ex 15:20) and dance. There will be unity of the kingdom as they plant in Samaria and the watchman of Ephraim go to Jerusalem to worship.
What a day this will be! They would have loved to embrace this day in their hopes of a brighter future.
Jeremiah 31:7-9
The news is big, way to special to keep it quiet, to keep it local. God instructs them to be a witness to the world. Shout the news to the nations. God's care and gathering wouldn't leave out the blind, lame or expectant mothers. He would gather them from everywhere and they would come, weeping and praying; coming in genuine repentance, recognizing something special was happening. Like a father leading a son, like a shepherd leading a flock, He would lead them beside still waters (Is 35:6-8; Is 43:19; Psalm23). This is the picture of a new Exodus!
Jeremiah 31:10-14
The word was declared to the nations. Israel's regathering and restoration would be a testimony of God's promises and grace. He is the one who scattered them and from the beginning He declared He would preserve a remnant and restore them. The Lord would redeem them from those who held them legally, as if slaves. He would buy them back in a sense. There will be shouting and rejoicing, it would be a day like they had not known. The well-watered garden is a picture of the contented, cared for, fruitful, beautiful state of His people in His future care (see also Is 59:11; Is35:10). Imagine this word in a season of mourning and loss – it would be turned to gladness (Is 61:3). The abundance to the priest comes from the worship o f the people at the temple.
Jeremiah 31:15-17
Matthew said when Herod killed the male children in Bethlehem as he feared the talk of a king, he fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15. Ramah was a town about 8 miles north of Jerusalem along the main north south road of that day. This is apparently where the captives were gathered as they were taking them away to Babylon at the fall of Jerusalem. We can imagine the sounds of weeping and mourning; grief over the death of so many, fear of living and being carried to exile.
Rachel was Jacob's wife; one the mothers of the twelve tribes. One tradition says that her tomb is in Benjamite territory north of Jerusalem, at or near the town of Ramah.
This mourning would be turned to gladness. God gave them a great promise of restoration to console them. He had plans for them, plans to prosper them (Jer 29:11).
Jeremiah 31:18-20
The prominent tribe of Israel stands as a representative of all Israel. They were like an unruly calf; this is one that was never broken to bear the yoke. Jeremiah spoke of the yoke of loyalty and obedience (2:20 & 5:5). This brought the discipline from the Lord. Through punishment that opened their eyes, they felt shame and humiliation that led to repentance. The Lord looks again at Ephraim as a dear son. This is like a father looking back, before the wayward years, remembering the young child in His youth. His heart yearns for that kind of relationship again, for that kind of trust.
Jeremiah 31:21-22
Those going to exile were to set up signs by which to return. It's a call to remember the way they left (by God's hand, timing and means); by that same way they would return (God's hand, timing and means). They needed to trust the signs the Lord provided and prepare themselves to return when the time came. To wander was to show distrust in God's plan. The Lord insists He can be trusted. This woman is like an wayward wife cautious about her return, unsure if it is in her best interest. The Lord offers a 'new thing'; something comepletely different from previous relationships.
Jeremiah 31:23-25
It is a firm 'when' used by the Lord, leaving no doubt that it was just a matter of time. Their return under his care and restoration by His hand was sure. In that day, the blessing of the city will be spoken of again as a sacred and prosperous place. It will be a city flourishing with the all kinds of people the Lord brings together. The weary will find refreshing and the faint will be satisfied.
Jeremiah 31:26-30
Jeremiah wakes up; apparently having received this vision by way of a dream. The days are coming. The Lord would plant and build up and sow a future; they were once uprooted and carried away by foreigners. Just as the Lord oversaw the destruction, He would now oversee the construction.
When those days come, the old proverb will be forgotten. The proverb implies a criticism of God about His punishment. In the coming time, the children would come to know that they weren't being punished for the wrong of their parents. Everyone would die for their own sin.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
This passage is the climax of the 'Book of Consolation'. The old covenant was invalidated by Israel's sin. The Lord had been faithful in His part, but they rejected Him They needed a new covenant. This new covenant won't be like the old in any way. In fact, it would be more centralized on their hearts and minds. His law would be written on the tablet of their heart. In that day, they will all know the Lord. They would all have their sins forgiven. This means they would know their messiah, trust in the work that Jesus did on the cross.
Jeremiah 31:35-40
God's power is displayed by creation. This same power will be used by God for His people and nation. Israel will be restored and salvation will come to them. It is decreed as a sure thing, as sure as God created it all. It was impossible for the Lord to completely reject Israel, as impossible as measuring the heavens.
The restoration starts at the north and goes CCW around the perimeter of the city. The Lord marks it out and declares it to never again be destroyed. Those who would attempt it will meet the immovable Rock!
©2018 Doug Ford
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