Jer 30:5 | KingComments | STEP | The LORD’s words concern the twelve tribes, now divided into ten tribes, “Israel”, and two tribes, “Judah” ( ). He is speaking to all of them. His words concern the whole. The words Jeremiah is to pass on from the LORD do not initially contain words of hope, but are those of “a sound of terror” ( ). When deliverance comes, the people will be in the deepest misery, in great fear. There is no prospect of peace. With a question, the LORD points out the dismay of that time. He wants people to think about what caused it. The events foretold work an enormous, panic-stricken fear in the men that is compared to the labor pains of a pregnant woman ( ). All their faces pale at the sight of the disasters that are coming upon them and against which all resistance is futile. What happens next makes that day – by which is meant a period of time – a day unparalleled in the entire history of God’s people ( ). The exclamation “alas” belongs to that day. That day is the period of “the time of Jacob’s distress” (cf. ). At the same time, the comfort or encouragement also comes: “He will be saved from it.” When the need is greatest, the LORD comes to the aid of His people and will save them. The prophetic Scriptures contain many references to this unique time of Jacob’s distress ( ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ). The tribulation will culminate in both physical and spiritual salvation (cf. ) that will be such that Israel will never again be subdued by any nation. This cannot be said of any salvation that has taken place to date. The promise, “he will be saved from it”, refers to a time even now future.

‏ Jeremiah 30:5

The Time of Jacob’s Distress

The LORD’s words concern the twelve tribes, now divided into ten tribes, “Israel”, and two tribes, “Judah” (Jer 30:4). He is speaking to all of them. His words concern the whole. The words Jeremiah is to pass on from the LORD do not initially contain words of hope, but are those of “a sound of terror” (Jer 30:5). When deliverance comes, the people will be in the deepest misery, in great fear. There is no prospect of peace.

With a question, the LORD points out the dismay of that time. He wants people to think about what caused it. The events foretold work an enormous, panic-stricken fear in the men that is compared to the labor pains of a pregnant woman (Jer 30:6). All their faces pale at the sight of the disasters that are coming upon them and against which all resistance is futile.

What happens next makes that day – by which is meant a period of time – a day unparalleled in the entire history of God’s people (Jer 30:7). The exclamation “alas” belongs to that day. That day is the period of “the time of Jacob’s distress” (cf. Mt 24:21). At the same time, the comfort or encouragement also comes: “He will be saved from it.” When the need is greatest, the LORD comes to the aid of His people and will save them.

The prophetic Scriptures contain many references to this unique time of Jacob’s distress (Jer 46:10; Isa 2:12-21 ; Isa 13:6 ; Isa 34:1-8; Eze 30:3; Joel 1:15 ; Joel 2:1-2 ; 11; Dan 12:1; Amos 5:18-20; Mic 1:2-5; Zec 14:1-8 ; 12-15). The tribulation will culminate in both physical and spiritual salvation (cf. Zec 12:10-14 ; Zec 13:1) that will be such that Israel will never again be subdued by any nation. This cannot be said of any salvation that has taken place to date. The promise, “he will be saved from it”, refers to a time even now future.