The Restoration of Israel and Judah
The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah with instructions to write everything in a book. The reason is future-oriented: the LORD will restore His captive people Israel and Judah and bring them back to possess the land given to their ancestors.
T1his is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. 3For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares the LORD. I will restore them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’”
The LORD speaks of a coming day of fear so severe that strong men are pictured in labor pains and every face turns pale. It will be a time of unparalleled trouble for Jacob, yet he will be saved out of it: the yoke of oppression will be broken, Israel and Judah will serve the LORD and David their king, and Jacob need not fear because though the LORD will make a full end of the nations where they were scattered, He will not make a full end of them.
4These are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. 5Yes, this is what the LORD says: 6Ask now, and see: 7How awful that day will be! 8On that day, 9Instead, they will serve the LORD their God 10As for you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, 11For I am with you to save you,
The LORD declares that Jacob's wound is severe and beyond human healing, abandoned even by former allies. The hurt is not arbitrary but the result of great guilt and many sins; nevertheless, the LORD turns the sentence outward, promising that those who devoured His people will themselves be devoured and that He will restore health and heal the wounds of the one others called an outcast.
12For this is what the LORD says: 13There is no one to plead your cause, 14All your lovers have forgotten you; 15Why do you cry out over your wound? 16Nevertheless, all who devour you will be devoured, 17But I will restore your health and heal your wounds,
The LORD promises to restore Jacob's tents, rebuild the city on its mound, and show compassion on its dwellings. Thanksgiving and gladness will sound again, the people will be multiplied and honored, their children will flourish as before, and a ruler from their own midst will draw near to the LORD. The section culminates with the covenant formula renewed: they will be His people and He will be their God.
18This is what the LORD says: 19Thanksgiving will proceed from them, 20Their children will be as in days of old, 21Their leader will be one of their own, 22“And you will be My people,
The chapter closes by returning to the storm of the LORD's wrath, which goes forth against the wicked and will not turn back until His purposes are accomplished. Only in the latter days will the people fully understand what the LORD has been doing.
23Behold, the storm of the LORD 24The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back