Jer 30:3 | KingComments | STEP | So far in this book we have heard prophecies of Jeremiah that, with the exception of a few passages ( ), are all threatening and gloomy in character. In Jeremiah 30-33, the prophetic perspective changes to primarily hopeful. This is all the more remarkable because the prophecies in Jeremiah 32-33 were given in the tenth year of Zedekiah, that is, just before the final fall of Jerusalem. The main idea of these chapters is that Israel as a nation will not perish. These verses are the introduction to Jeremiah 30-31. They deal with the hopeful theme of the restoration of the people. These verses clearly and unequivocally establish that the people will return to the land. The LORD says this to Jeremiah in a new word ( ). We come to a climax here. “The word” that comes to Jeremiah implies a special commission. It does not relate to preaching or delivering a message, but is intended primarily for himself. Since he is a type of the believing remnant, it is also meant for them. He is instructed to write in a book all that the LORD has spoken ( ). This seems to involve Jeremiah 30-33 in particular (cf. ). What is written provides certainty and means of verification. Others also wrote their words in a book, such as Moses ( ; ), Joshua ( ), Isaiah ( ), Nahum ( ), Habakkuk ( ). Jeremiah 30-33 are a separate book in this book. This “book” of four chapters is sometimes called “the book of comfort” because it is full of comfort and promises. These chapters contain the assurance of their continued existence. At a time when so many Jews are in exile, this must be a great comfort to those who believe. It contains prophecies about the realm of peace and about the Lord Jesus, for then and through Him all that is promised in these chapters will be fulfilled. They also have a practical meaning for us who are already living in the kingdom, even though that kingdom exists now in a hidden form ( ). In spiritual terms, we can already experience such restoration now. Above all, through the inspired Word we know the truth of God. We see the confirmation of what He has said when what He has said is fulfilled. Here He speaks in regard to His plan to bring about a turn in the captivity of both Israel and Judah ( ). It is about the restoration of the twelve tribes. Israel is in scattering and Judah in exile. They will again be as one people in the land of the fathers. It is not so now and it did not happen at the return from Babylon. The return from Babylon is imperfect, both in number and in condition.

‏ Jeremiah 30:3

Introduction

So far in this book we have heard prophecies of Jeremiah that, with the exception of a few passages (Jer 2:1-3 ; Jer 3:14-17 ; Jer 16:14-15 ; Jer 23:1-8 ; Jer 24:4-7), are all threatening and gloomy in character. In Jeremiah 30-33, the prophetic perspective changes to primarily hopeful. This is all the more remarkable because the prophecies in Jeremiah 32-33 were given in the tenth year of Zedekiah, that is, just before the final fall of Jerusalem. The main idea of these chapters is that Israel as a nation will not perish.

Return From Exile

These verses are the introduction to Jeremiah 30-31. They deal with the hopeful theme of the restoration of the people. These verses clearly and unequivocally establish that the people will return to the land. The LORD says this to Jeremiah in a new word (Jer 30:1). We come to a climax here.

“The word” that comes to Jeremiah implies a special commission. It does not relate to preaching or delivering a message, but is intended primarily for himself. Since he is a type of the believing remnant, it is also meant for them. He is instructed to write in a book all that the LORD has spoken (Jer 30:2). This seems to involve Jeremiah 30-33 in particular (cf. Jer 36:2). What is written provides certainty and means of verification. Others also wrote their words in a book, such as Moses (Exo 17:14; Deu 31:24), Joshua (Jos 24:26), Isaiah (Isa 8:1 ; Isa 30:8), Nahum (Nah 1:1), Habakkuk (Hab 2:2).

Jeremiah 30-33 are a separate book in this book. This “book” of four chapters is sometimes called “the book of comfort” because it is full of comfort and promises. These chapters contain the assurance of their continued existence. At a time when so many Jews are in exile, this must be a great comfort to those who believe. It contains prophecies about the realm of peace and about the Lord Jesus, for then and through Him all that is promised in these chapters will be fulfilled. They also have a practical meaning for us who are already living in the kingdom, even though that kingdom exists now in a hidden form (Rom 14:17). In spiritual terms, we can already experience such restoration now.

Above all, through the inspired Word we know the truth of God. We see the confirmation of what He has said when what He has said is fulfilled. Here He speaks in regard to His plan to bring about a turn in the captivity of both Israel and Judah (Jer 30:3). It is about the restoration of the twelve tribes. Israel is in scattering and Judah in exile. They will again be as one people in the land of the fathers. It is not so now and it did not happen at the return from Babylon. The return from Babylon is imperfect, both in number and in condition.