Bible reading & studying Jeremiah chapter30-32 by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying Jeremiah chapter30-31

by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music

 

In chapter 30:1 in this section (through32:25) Jeremiah looks beyond the immediate judgment to the future day of the Lord, the restoration of Israel, and the blessings of the new covenant. v.7 a time of trouble for Jacob. The coming days of tribulation that will come upon all Israel (Jacob). That day (v.8) the day of the Lord, which will also see the restoration of Israel under Messiah, the son of David. In chapter30:17-22 God’s future blessings on Israel will include health (i.e., physical and spiritual healing, v.17), restoration of the people and Jerusalem (v.18), reestablishment of the Davidic line in the person of King Messiah (v.21) and fellowship with God (v.22).

 

How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it. In that day, declares the Lord Almighty, I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them. Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. So do not fear, O Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, O Israel, declares the Lord. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. I am with you and will save you. Declares the Lord. Though I completely destroy all the nations among which scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.(vv.7-11)

 

This is what the Lord says, “your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore no healing for you. All your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you. I have struck you as an enemy would and punished you as would the cruel, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many. Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins, I have done these things to you. (vv.12-15)

 

But all who devour you will be devoured’ all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil. But I will restore you to health and heal you wounds. Declares the Lord. Because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares. (vv.16-17)

 

This is what the Lord says, “ I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings, the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place, from them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing . I will add to their numbers and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. (vv.18-19)

 

Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me? Declares the Lord. So you will be my people, and I will be your God. (v.21-22)

 

In Chapter 31:1, this chapter continues the theme of restoration for Israel, Verses1-22 concern the Northern Kingdom’ verses23-26, the Southern Kingdom; verses27-40, both kingdoms.

“At that time”, declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people.” This is what the Lord says, “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel.” The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.(vv1-4)  

 In 31:6 “watchmen.” Those who signaled the first appearance of the crescent moon in connection with Passover or new moon celebrations. In the Millennium the schism between north and south will be healed and all will go to Zion (Jerusalem) to worship.

 

There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.” This is what the Lord says, “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ See, O will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. (vv.6-9)  

 In 31:15 “Raman”. A town five and one half miles N. of Jerusalem, used as an assembly point for the captives taken to Babylon (40:1). Rachel. The mother of Joseph and Benjamin is seen weeping over the exiles but is assured that they will return (31:16). This weeping is used as a type in connection with Herod’s slaughter of the infants. (Matt.2:18)

 

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘ He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd. For the Lord will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord-the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more, then, maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty. Declares the Lord. (vv.10-13)

This is what the Lord says, “ A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted; because her children are no more. This is what the Lord says, “ restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, “ declares the Lord. “ they will return from the land of the enemy so there is hope for your future. Declares the Lord. your children will return to their own land. (vv.16-17)

  

In 31:22 a woman will surround a man. The meaning is uncertain. Some understand it to indicate the security of Israel in the Millennium when a woman can provide all the protection needed. Others take it as a reference to Israel (a woman) embracing a man (i.e. God). Still others relate it to the incarnation.

 

Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, O virgin Israel, return to your towns, How long will you wander o unfaithful daughter? The Lord will create a new thing on earth-a woman will surround man. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “ when I bring them back from captivity, the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: ‘ The Lord bless you, O righteous dwelling O sacred mountain.” …I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint…” (vv21-23,25)

 In 31: 29-30 The people excused themselves by saying they were being punished for the sins for their fathers; in reality each person is punished for his own sins.(Deut.24:16; Ezek.18:2-4)

                  “In those days people will no longer say, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the  children’s teeth are set on edge. Instead, everyone will die for his own sin. Whoever eats sour grapes, his own teeth will be set on edge.” (vv.29-30)

In 31:31-34 The principal O.T. Passage on the new covenant (cf.Isa.59:20-21; Jer.32:37-40; Ezek.16:60-63; 37:21-28; ) it will be made in the future with the whole nation  of Israel (Jer.33:31); It will be unlike the Mosaic covenant in that it will be unconditional (Jer.31:32); its provisions will include (1) a change of heart, 2)fellowship with God, 3) knowledge of the Lord, and 4) forgiveness of sins. All of this will be fulfilled for Israel when the Lord returns (Rom.11:26-27)

 

“The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them. Declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after the time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor or a man his brother, saying, “know the Lord.’ because they will all know me from the lease of them to the greatest.” Declares the Lord. For I will forgive their wickless and will remember their sins no more.( Jeremiah31:31-34) 

 

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.