V Q 30:1-17. Book.
R S 30:18. City. Rebuilding.
T 30:19-31:1. People. Restoration.
Q 31:2-26. Vision.
R T 31:27-37. People. Restoration.
S 31:38-40. City. Rebuilding.
Q U 1,2. Words.
V 3. Restoration. General.
U 4. Words.
V 5-17. Restoration. Particular.
489 B.C.
Jeremiah 30)
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 "Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying, 'Write you all the words that I have spoken to you in a book. (For abiding comfort and hope in the coming times of trouble. Written before the deportation. Cp. 30:5-11, 12-24. A dark foreground shows in 31:37.)
3 For, lo, the days come, says the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, says the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.' "
4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
V f 5-7-. Tribulation.
g -7-10. Restoration.
h 11. Yehovah the Savior.
f 12-15. Tribulation.
g 16. Retaliation.
h 17. Yehovah the Healer.
5 For thus says the LORD; "We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
6 Ask you now, and see whether a male does travail with child? wherefore do I see every strong man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
7 Alas! for that day (the interpretation here is of the day of Babylon's overthrow. The application is of the yet future Great Tribulation of Matt. 24. This is in contrast with the day of Restoration) is great to have another like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, (Not Israel's, for it is the natural seed that is here in question, not the spiritual. See Gen. 32:28; 43:6; 45:26,28)
but he shall be saved out of it.
8 For it shall come to pass in that day, says the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke (reminding us of 28:10,11) from off your neck, and will burst your bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king (this is yet future. Cp. Ezek., Jeremiah's contemporary [Ezek. 34:23,23; 37;24,25. Isa. 55:3. Hos. 3:5] for 7 years [484-477 B.C.]), whom I will raise up to them.
10 Therefore fear you not (taking up Isa. 41:10,18; 37:24,25; 44:2), O my servant Jacob, says the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be [again] in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
11 For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you: though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a full end of you: but I will correct you in due measure, and will not leave you altogether guiltless. (See Ex. 20:7; 34:7. Num. 14:18.)
12 For thus says the LORD, 'Your bruise is incurable, and your wound is grievous.
13 There is none to plead your cause, for binding you up: you have no healing medicines.
14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they seek you not; for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of your iniquity; because your sins were increased.
15 Why cry you for your affliction? your sorrow is incurable for the multitude of your iniquity: because your sins were increased, I have done these things to you.
16 Therefore all they that devour you shall be devoured (see Ex. 23:22); and all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil you shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon you will I give for a prey.
17 For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says the LORD; because they called you an Outcast, saying, 'This is Zion, whom no man seeks after.' '
18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling-places; and the city shall be built upon her own ruins (this cannot be a spiritual application; still less interpretation. It is literally Zion. This was written in the book, before the siege, which had already been foretold [chs. 7; 19; 21:10; 24;2; 37:10]), and the fortress shall remain after the manner thereof. (Or, upon its own site.)
T i 30:19-21. Blessings.
k 30:22. People accepted.
i 31:23,24. Judgment.
k 31:1. People accepted.
19 And out of them (i.e. the restored cities and palaces) shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small [in number].
20 Their sons also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. (1st used of God by God Himself [Ex. 3:9.)
21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor (i.e. Jacob's) shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near (see Num. 16:5), and he shall approach to me: for who is this that pledged his heart to approach to me? (Cp. Isa. 63:1 [in judgment]. Matt. 21:10 [in grace]) says the LORD.
22 And you shall be My People, and I will be your God.
23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a tempest rolling itself upward (i.e. a roaring tempest): it shall fall with pain upon the head of lawless ones.
24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until He hath done it, and until He have performed the intents of His heart: in the end of days (see Gen. 49:1. Cp. 23:20) you shall understand it.