Jeremiah 31:1-20
Q.1. When will these promises be fulfilled? What hope does God bring for Israel’s future? On what basis is the promise made? – (Jer.31:1-6)
God had promised the exiles in Babylon that after seventy years He would bring them back to the land (c.f. Jer.29:10-14). However, calamity would visit the king, the leaders, and the people still in Judah and Jerusalem. There was an immediate future fulfilment in Jeremiah’s generation. There will be a distant fulfilment during the Great Tribulation. This is here referred to as – the time of Jacob’s distress … in the latter days you will understand this (Jer.30:7 & 24 c.f. Mt.24:21-22). In this chapter, Jeremiah unveiled a New Covenant that superseded the Mosaic Covenant (Jer.31:31-34 c.f. Heb.8:6-13). Speaking about the future of all the tribes of Israel, the Lord promised – At that time … I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people (Jer.31:1). He confirmed what He told Israel – I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness (Jer.31:3). Their mourning will be turned to joy as the people are reborn, the land is rebuilt, and the nation will enjoy the fruit of her labours (Jer.31:4-6).
Q.2. When would these prophecies happen? Who would be included in God’s blessing? How did the Lord portray Himself to them? – (Jer.31:7-9)
The Lord promised that after centuries of strife with no land to call their own, – behold, I am bringing them from the north country, and I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth (Jer.31:8). The Lord will regather a great company of people including the defenceless, the women with child, the blind, the lame … and He will be a father to Israel (Jer.31:8-9).
Q.3. To whom is Judah’s and Ephraim’s restoration a sign? On what basis will God accomplish this? What is revealed about Jesus? – (Jer.31:10-20)
Israel is acknowledged by many to be God’s prophetic timepiece. Before the destruction of Jerusalem, God called out to the whole world – 10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare in the coastlands afar off, and say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.” 11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he (Jer.31:10-11). All this will be accomplished, not because it is deserved, but because of God’s choice and redemption. He will satisfy His people with His goodness (Jer.31:11-14). He promised – there is hope for your future … and your children will return to their own territory (Jer.31:17). He addressed Ephraim as representative of Israel, whom God chose above his firstborn brother Manasseh (Jer.31:6, 9, 18-20 c.f. Gen.48:13-14, 17-20). Israel would be severely chastised for her infidelity (Jer.31:15 & 18). However, at a future time, Israel will repent and the Lord will say – 18 I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, for You are the Lord my God. 19 ‘For after I turned back, I repented; And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I was ashamed and also humiliated because I bore the reproach of my youth’ (Jer.31:18-19). Israel broke the covenant and forgot the Lord. However, the God of Israel is not like that, and still foresaw a future for her – 20 “Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore, My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,” declares the Lord (Jer.31:17 & 20). The reference to Rachel weeping bitterly for her children was quoted by Matthew when King Herod had all the two years old boys around Bethlehem slaughtered, in his attempts to eliminate Baby Jesus – the rival King of the Jews (Jer.31:15 c.f. Mt.2:16-18).