Jeremiah 31

1 in tempore illo dicit Dominus ero Deus universis cognationibus Israhel et ipsi erunt mihi in populum

2 haec dicit Dominus invenit gratiam in deserto populus qui remanserat gladio vadet ad requiem suam Israhel

3 longe Dominus apparuit mihi et in caritate perpetua dilexi te ideo adtraxi te miserans

4 rursumque aedificabo te et aedificaberis virgo Israhel adhuc ornaberis tympanis tuis et egredieris in choro ludentium

5 adhuc plantabis vineas in montibus Samariae plantabunt plantantes et donec tempus veniat non vindemiabunt

6 quia erit dies in qua clamabunt custodes in monte Ephraim surgite et ascendamus in Sion ad Dominum Deum nostrum

7 quia haec dicit Dominus exultate in laetitia Iacob et hinnite contra caput gentium personate canite et dicite salva Domine populum tuum reliquias Israhel

8 ecce ego adducam eos de terra aquilonis et congregabo eos ab extremis terrae inter quos erunt caecus et claudus et praegnans et pariens simul coetus magnus revertentium huc

9 in fletu venient et in precibus deducam eos et adducam eos per torrentes aquarum in via recta et non inpingent in ea quia factus sum Israheli pater et Ephraim primogenitus meus est

10 audite verbum Domini gentes et adnuntiate insulis quae procul sunt et dicite qui dispersit Israhel congregabit eum et custodiet eum sicut pastor gregem suum

11 redemit enim Dominus Iacob et liberavit eum de manu potentioris

12 et venient et laudabunt in monte Sion et confluent ad bona Domini super frumento et vino et oleo et fetu pecorum et armentorum eritque anima eorum quasi hortus inriguus et ultra non esurient

13 tunc laetabitur virgo in choro iuvenes et senes simul et convertam luctum eorum in gaudium et consolabor eos et laetificabo a dolore suo

14 et inebriabo animam sacerdotum pinguedine et populus meus bonis meis adimplebitur ait Dominus

15 haec dicit Dominus vox in excelso audita est lamentationis fletus et luctus Rachel plorantis filios suos et nolentis consolari super eis quia non sunt

16 haec dicit Dominus quiescat vox tua a ploratu et oculi tui a lacrimis quia est merces operi tuo ait Dominus et revertentur de terra inimici

17 et est spes novissimis tuis ait Dominus et revertentur filii ad terminos suos

18 audiens audivi Ephraim transmigrantem castigasti me et eruditus sum quasi iuvenculus indomitus converte me et revertar quia tu Dominus Deus meus

19 postquam enim convertisti me egi paenitentiam et postquam ostendisti mihi percussi femur meum confusus sum et erubui quoniam sustinui obprobrium adulescentiae meae

20 si filius honorabilis mihi Ephraim si puer delicatus quia ex quo locutus sum de eo adhuc recordabor eius idcirco conturbata sunt viscera mea super eum miserans miserebor eius ait Dominus

21 statue tibi speculam pone tibi amaritudines dirige cor tuum in viam directam in qua ambulasti revertere virgo Israhel revertere ad civitates tuas istas

22 usquequo deliciis dissolveris filia vaga quia creavit Dominus novum super terram femina circumdabit virum

23 haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel adhuc dicent verbum istud in terra Iuda et in urbibus eius cum convertero captivitatem eorum benedicat tibi Dominus pulchritudo iustitiae mons sanctus

24 et habitabunt in eo Iudas et omnes civitates eius simul agricolae et minantes greges

25 quia inebriavi animam lassam et omnem animam esurientem saturavi

26 ideo quasi de somno suscitatus sum et vidi et somnus meus dulcis mihi

27 ecce dies veniunt dicit Dominus et seminabo domum Israhel et domum Iuda semine hominis et semine iumentorum

28 et sicut vigilavi super eos ut evellerem et demolirer et dissiparem et disperderem et adfligerem sic vigilabo super eos ut aedificem et plantem ait Dominus

29 in diebus illis non dicent ultra patres comederunt uvam acerbam et dentes filiorum obstipuerunt

30 sed unusquisque in iniquitate sua morietur omnis homo qui comederit uvam acerbam obstupescent dentes eius

31 ecce dies veniunt dicit Dominus et feriam domui Israhel et domui Iuda foedus novum

32 non secundum pactum quod pepigi cum patribus vestris in die qua adprehendi manum eorum ut educerem eos de terra Aegypti pactum quod irritum fecerunt et ego dominatus sum eorum dicit Dominus

33 sed hoc erit pactum quod feriam cum domo Israhel post dies illos dicit Dominus dabo legem meam in visceribus eorum et in corde eorum scribam eam et ero eis in Deum et ipsi erunt mihi in populum

34 et non docebunt ultra vir proximum suum et vir fratrem suum dicens cognoscite Dominum omnes enim cognoscent me a minimo eorum usque ad maximum ait Dominus quia propitiabor iniquitati eorum et peccati eorum non ero memor amplius

35 haec dicit Dominus qui dat solem in lumine diei ordinem lunae et stellarum in lumine noctis qui turbat mare et sonant fluctus eius Dominus exercituum nomen illi

36 si defecerint leges istae coram me dicit Dominus tunc et semen Israhel deficiet ut non sit gens coram me cunctis diebus

37 haec dicit Dominus si mensurari potuerint caeli sursum et investigari fundamenta terrae deorsum et ego abiciam universum semen Israhel propter omnia quae fecerunt dicit Dominus

38 ecce dies veniunt dicit Dominus et aedificabitur civitas Domino a turre Ananehel usque ad portam Anguli

39 et exibit ultra norma mensurae in conspectu eius super collem Gareb et circuibit Goatha

40 et omnem vallem cadaverum et cineris et universam regionem mortis usque ad torrentem Cedron et usque ad angulum portae Equorum orientalis sanctum Domini non evelletur et non destruetur ultra in perpetuum

Jeremiah 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

The restoration of Israel. (1-9) Promises of guidance and happiness; Rachel lamenting. (10-17) Ephraim laments his errors. (18-20) The promised Saviour. (21-26) God's care over the church. (27-34) Peace and prosperity in gospel time. (35-40)

Verses 1-9 God assures his people that he will again take them into covenant relation to himself. When brought very low, and difficulties appear, it is good to remember that it has been so with the church formerly. But it is hard under present frowns to take comfort from former smiles; yet it is the happiness of those who, through grace, are interested in the love of God, that it is an everlasting love, from everlasting in the counsels, to everlasting in the continuance. Those whom God loves with this love, he will draw to himself, by the influences of his Spirit upon their souls. When praising God for what he has done, we must call upon him for the favours his church needs and expects. When the Lord calls, we must not plead that we cannot come; for he that calls us, will help us, will strengthen us. The goodness of God shall lead them to repentance. And they shall weep for sin with more bitterness, and more tenderness, when delivered out of their captivity, than when groaning under it. If we take God for our Father, and join the church of the first-born, we shall want nothing that is good for us. These predictions doubtless refer also to a future gathering of the Israelites from all quarters of the globe. And they figuratively describe the conversion of sinners to Christ, and the plain and safe way in which they are led.

Verses 10-17 He that scattered Israel, knows where to find them. It is comfortable to observe the goodness of the Lord in the gifts of providence. But our souls are never valuable as gardens, unless watered with the dews of God's Spirit and grace. A precious promise follows, which will not have full accomplishment except in the heavenly Zion. Let them be satisfied of God's loving-kindness, and they will be satisfied with it, and desire no more to make them happy. Rachel is represented as rising from her grave, and refusing to be comforted, supposing her offspring rooted out. The murder of the children at Bethlehem, by Herod, ( Matthew 2:16-18 ) , in some degree fulfilled this prediction, but could not be its full meaning. If we have hope in the end, concerning an eternal inheritance, for ourselves and those belonging to us, all temporal afflictions may be borne, and will be for our good.

Verses 18-20 Ephraim (the ten tribes) is weeping for sin. He is angry at himself for his sin, and folly, and frowardness. He finds he cannot, by his own power, keep himself close with God, much less bring himself back when he is revolted. Therefore he prays, Turn thou me, and I shall be turned. His will was bowed to the will of God. When the teaching of God's Spirit went with the corrections of his providence, then the work was done. This is our comfort in affliction, that the Lord thinks upon us. God has mercy in store, rich mercy, sure mercy, suitable mercy, for all who seek him in sincerity.

Verses 21-26 The way from the bondage of sin to the liberty of God's children, is a high-way. It is plain, it is safe; yet none are likely to walk in it, unless they set their hearts towards it. They are encouraged by the promise of a new, unheard-of, extraordinary thing; a creation, a work of Almighty power; the human nature of Christ, formed and prepared by the power of the Holy Ghost: and this is here mentioned as an encouragement to the Jews to return to their own land. And a comfortable prospect is given them of a happy settlement there. Godliness and honesty God has joined: let no man think to put them asunder, or to make the one atone for the want of the other. In the love and favour of God the weary soul shall find rest, and the sorrowful shall find joy. And what can we see with more satisfaction than the good of Jerusalem, and peace upon Israel?

Verses 27-34 The people of God shall become numerous and prosperous. In ( hebrews 8:8 hebrews 8:9 ) , this place is quoted as the sum of the covenant of grace made with believers in Jesus Christ. Not, I will give them a new law; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it; but the law shall be written in their hearts by the finger of the Spirit, as formerly written in the tables of stone. The Lord will, by his grace, make his people willing people in the day of his power. All shall know the Lord; all shall be welcome to the knowledge of God, and shall have the means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall finally perish, but for his own sins; none, who is willing to accept of Christ's salvation.

Verses 35-40 As surely as the heavenly bodies will continue their settled course, according to the will of their Creator, to the end of time, and as the raging sea obeys him, so surely will the Jews be continued a separate people. Words can scarcely set forth more strongly the restoration of Israel. The rebuilding of Jerusalem, and its enlargement and establishment, shall be an earnest of the great things God will do for the gospel church. The personal happiness of every true believer, as well as the future restoration of Israel, is secured by promise, covenant, and oath. This Divine love passes knowledge; and to those who take hold upon it, every present mercy is an earnest of salvation.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 31

This chapter is connected with the former, respects the same times, and is full of prophecies and promises of spiritual blessings; of the coming of Christ; of the multiplication of his people, and the increase of their joy; of the conversion of the Gentiles; of the covenant of grace; and of the stability of the saints. It begins with the principal promise of the covenant, confirmed by past experience, of divine goodness, and with a fresh declaration of God's everlasting love, Jer 31:1-3; an instance of which would appear, in planting vines or churches in Samaria, the metropolis of Ephraim or the ten tribes, under the ministry of the apostles, the watchmen, on Mount Ephraim; whereby the Israel of God would be built, beautified, and made to rejoice, Jer 31:4-6; yea, it would be matter of joy to all that heard of it; since, notwithstanding distance and other difficulties, a great number should come to Christ, and to his church, drawn by the Father's love to them, and as owing to the relation he stands in to them, Jer 31:7-9; redemption out of the hands of Satan, and every spiritual enemy, must be published among the Gentiles; which would cause great joy, and give great satisfaction to the priests and people of the Lord, expressed by various metaphors, Jer 31:10-14; and though, upon the birth of the Redeemer, there would be an event, which might tend to damp the joy of saints on account of it, the murder of the infants at Bethlehem; yet some things are said to encourage faith, hope, and joy, and to abate sorrow and weeping, Jer 31:15-17; Ephraim's affliction, and behaviour under it, his repentance and reception, are recorded, Jer 31:18-20; backsliding Israel are called upon to return, in consideration of the birth of the Messiah, Jer 31:21,22; the happy and flourishing estate of the people of God is promised; all which were made known to the prophet by a dream in the night, Jer 31:23-26; and fresh promises are made, that the Lord would do them good, and not punish the children for their fathers' sins, but everyone for their own, Jer 31:28-30; and then an account is given of the new covenant of grace, as distinct from the old, and of the articles of it; the inscription of the law in the heart, spiritual knowledge of the Lord, and remission of sin, Jer 31:31-34; then follow assurances of the everlasting continuance of the true Israel and church of God, Jer 31:35-37; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem, and of the holiness of it, and of its abiding for ever, Jer 31:38-40.