Jer 30 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jer 30:1-33:26: 30:1–33:26 These four chapters are often called “The Book of Consolation,” a high point in Old Testament revelation. In contrast to the many messages of judgment that Jeremiah delivered to his people, these messages are filled with hope and point to a marvelous future restoration. Summary for Jer 30:1-24: 30:1-24 This series of messages is mainly positive, with only two verses carrying a tone of judgment (30:23-24 ). They speak of the beneficial effects of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Exile.

Summary for Jer 30:1-33:26: 30:1–33:26 ^a These four chapters are often called “The Book of Consolation,” a high point in Old Testament revelation. In contrast to the many messages of judgment that Jeremiah delivered to his people, these messages are filled with hope and point to a marvelous future restoration.
Summary for Jer 30:1-24: 30:1-24 ^b This series of messages is mainly positive, with only two verses carrying a tone of judgment (30:23-24 ^c). They speak of the beneficial effects of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Exile.
30:3 ^d The new messages expand on the theme of 29:10-14 ^e (see 3:18 ^f; 16:15 ^g; 24:6 ^h). The fall of Jerusalem and the Exile did not mark the end of the Lord’s relationship with Israel. The Lord had a wonderful future for the remnant of his people. Descendants of people from the northern kingdom of Israel who were taken into exile by the Assyrians in 722 BC would be restored. Likewise, descendants of the people of Judah who were taken into Babylonian exile in 597 and 586 BC would return to the Promised Land.

• I will bring them home: The first major return from exile occurred in 538 BC (Ezra 1:1–6:22 ⁱ), the second in 458 BC (Ezra 7:1–10:44 ^j), and the third in 445 BC (Neh 1–13 ^k).
30:7 ^l The time of trouble was the Babylonian capture and the final destruction of Judah in 586 BC.
30:8 ^m Although the return of the exiles began in 538 BC, foreigners were still their masters for most of Israel’s history from the Exile through the Roman period. However, Israel experienced a measure of freedom during that time.
30:9 ⁿ After the Exile, the Israelites cast aside their persistent worship of idols and truly served the Lord their God.

• The Lord would provide a king, also a descendant of David, who would be called the Messiah (Isa 55:3-4 ^o; Ezek 34:23 ^p; 37:24 ^q; Hos 3:5 ^r; Luke 1:69 ^s; Acts 2:30 ^t; 13:22-23 ^u).
30:10 ^v The gathering of exiles would include those held in Babylon and also those who were scattered in distant lands. The Lord’s promised gifts would include peace and quiet without fearsome enemies.
30:11 ^w The Lord could make these promises because he was with his people and had the power to save them. He promised to destroy vicious nations and preserve his people. Still, the Lord would discipline his people if they sinned.
Summary for Jer 30:12-14: 30:12-14 ^x The exiles suffered injury—a terrible wound—because of their many sins.

• lovers ... allies: The Lord used these terms to refer to nations, especially Egypt, that had been Judah’s trusted friends (see 4:30 ^y; Ezek 16:15-63 ^z).
30:15 ^aa The Israelites had no right to protest their punishment; they deserved their exile, and God’s justice demanded that they be punished.
30:16 ^ab all who devour you will be devoured: See 25:11-12 ^ac.
30:17 ^ad I will ... heal your wounds: The people would return from exile and their sins would be removed.
30:18 ^ae The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 445 BC under Nehemiah’s leadership (Neh 12:22-43 ^af).
Summary for Jer 30:19-21: 30:19-21 ^ag The rebuilt Jerusalem would be the center of a healthy and growing nation. Its growing population would experience joy and sing songs of thanksgiving. The city would be honored by its neighbors, and its streets would be filled with children who would grow up and prosper. The nation would have its own ruler again.
30:22 ^ah The Lord wanted to establish a nation whose people were totally committed to worshiping him as the one true God (Exod 6:7 ^ai; Ezek 36:38 ^aj).
30:23 ^ak The reestablished nation was still held accountable for rebellion. The Lord reserved the authority to express his stormy anger against the wicked.
30:24 ^al Punishment remained an important aspect of what the Lord had planned. The Israelites, including Jeremiah, found it difficult to reconcile divine promises with divine anger. Looking back on events at a later time would help the people to understand this paradox.