Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

JEREMIAH - CHAPTER 30

A SONG OF DELIVERANCE

The keynote of the following four chapters is a contrast to most of Jeremiah’s prophecies; they set forth the hope of restoration. One might almost summarize chapters 30-31 as a hymn of deliverance and triumph for the people of God. Chapters 32-33 are set in the tenth year of Zedekiah’s reign. They deal with matters that transpired while Jeremiah was imprisoned for his very fidelity to his people and to his God. One is reminded of the exuberant joyfulness of the apostle Paul in the four letters that he wrote and sent forth from his imprisonment in Rome.

The days were dark and dreary. Jerusalem was surrounded by the armies of Babylon. Though every passing day proved more clearly the validity of Jeremiah’s warning of impending judgment, and call for repentance, he was still imprisoned because of the stubborn rebellion of a proud and sin-bent nation! Though the circumstances might have dictated "despair," Jeremiah refused to succumb. Out of this hour of darkness and gloom came this marvelous song: of hope, deliverance, restoration and redemption!

1. Jeremiah is commanded, by the Lord, to write in a book the things that the Lord has spoken to him, (vs. 1-2; comp. Jeremiah 25:13; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:27 -­28, 32; Habakkuk 2:2).

2. This is with a coming day of redemption and restoration in view, (vs. 3; comp. Jeremiah 29:10).

a. There is definitely coming a day when the Lord will set His people free from the oppression of their captors, (vs. 3a, 18; Jeremiah 29:14; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Psalms 53:6).

b. Israel and Judah will return to the land that the Lord gave to their fathers - possessing it in perpetuity, (vs. 3b; Jeremiah 3:18; Jeremiah 16:15; Jeremiah 23:7-8; Ezekiel 20:42; Ezekiel 36:24).

1. Looking beyond the time of Jeremiah, the Lord spoke to him of hearing, concerning Israel and Judah, a cry of fear and trembling -where there was no peace, (vs. 4-5; Jeremiah 6:24-25; Jeremiah 8:16; Isaiah 5:30; Amos 5:16 -­18).

2. Strong men are pictured as doubled up in pain - like women in the labor of childbirth; their faces are pale with the dread of ever­ increasing terror, (vs. 6; Jeremiah 22:23; Jeremiah 4:31).

3. This coming day, in the future of the nation, is called "the time of Jacob’s trouble," (Joel 2:11; Lamentations 1:12; Jeremiah 2:27-28; Jeremiah 14:8); yet, there is a note of hope: "he shall be saved OUT OF IT," (vs. 7, 10; Jeremiah 50:19).

a. This will be such a time of tribulation and trouble as this world has never seen before, (Matthew 24:15-22).

b. But, as always, the Lord will manifest His sovereignty over the situation by preserving, purging and delivering His people -bringing them forth as silver and gold that is well refined, (Matthew 24:13; Matthew 24:29-31; 1 Peter 1:7-9).

4. It should be evident to all that the "DAY" referred to (in vs. 9) is NOT a 24-hour day, but an eschatological day - even "the Day of the Lord" wherein He will vindicate Himself and those who have been faithful to His covenant, (vs. 8-9).

a. This day of judgment will be introduced by such a display of cosmic phenomena as will cause men’s hearts to fail them "for fear of what is coming upon the earth, (Joel 2:31; Obadiah 1:15; Luke 21:26).

b. In that day the Lord will break the yoke of the oppressor from off the necks of His people - so liberating them from bondage that they will never become bondmen to strangers again, (vs. 8; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 27:2; Isaiah 9:4; Ezekiel 34:27).

c. Then they will joyfully serve Jehovah their God - rendering faithful and obedient service to the Messianic David who will be raised up to rule righteously over Israel and the nations, (Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Hosea 3:5).

5. Thus, the Lord admonishes Jacob to trust and not be afraid, (vs. 10; comp. Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:5; Isaiah 44:1-2).

a. He will save him from afar - delivering his seed from the land of their captivity, (Jeremiah 23:3; Jeremiah 23:8; Jeremiah 29:14; Isaiah 60:4).

b. Jacob will return to his own land, in peace and security -with no further cause for fear, (Jeremiah 33:16; Hosea 2:8; Micah 4:4).

6. Their scattering will be a loving and necessary act of discipline, but the Lord will never fully abandon, or give up His people, (vs. 11).

a. He is with them to save them.

b. Though He makes a full end of those nations whom He has used as instruments of discipline and judgment (Jeremiah 46:28), He will NOT do so to Israel, ((Jeremiah 4:27; Jeremiah 5:10; Jeremiah 5:18).

c. His faithfulness to correct His erring people is one of the surest evidences of God’s love, (Jeremiah 10:23-24; comp. Hebrews 12:6-11).

Vs. 12-17: DIVINE HEALING

1. In verses 12-15 Judah is pictured as grievously and mortally wounded like a soldier stricken in battle - abandoned and forgotten by her political allies, (vs. 14a; comp. Jeremiah 22:20; Jeremiah 22:22).

a. There is no one to plead her cause; those on whom she has leaned do not come forward to bind up her wounds.

b. Nor does she have any healing medicines, (Jeremiah 14:19; comp. Jeremiah 46:11).

c. Because of her great wickedness (Jeremiah 5:6; Jeremiah 32:30-35; Jeremiah 44:20 -­23), Jehovah Himself has brought this chastisement upon her - as if she were His enemy! (vs. 14b; La 2:4-5; Jeremiah 50:41-42).

d. No amount of crying will now avert the judgment necessitated by her persistent rebellion against her Divine Lover, (vs. 15).

2. But, there IS a word of hope and consolation, (vs. 16-17).

a. Those nations whom God has used as instruments of His divine discipline upon Judah will (because of their own sinful attitude in its infliction) themselves be judged, (vs. 16; comp. Jeremiah 2:3; Jeremiah 10:25; Isaiah 14:2; Jeremiah 50:10; Matthew 7:2).

b. In His divine graciousness, the Lord will restore health to Zion - healing ALL her wounds, (vs. 17; Jeremiah 8:22; Jeremiah 33:6; comp. Psalms 107:20).

c. Though no one else may care, God always cares for the outcast, and yearns for the opportunity whereby He may, righteously,

restore them to fullness of life, (Jeremiah 33:23-26; Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 56:8).

Vs 18-22: THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION

1. Here is a promise of divine compassion and redemption from: captivity, (vs. 18, 3; Jeremiah 31:23).

a. Jerusalem will be rebuilt on the hill of Zion, (Jeremiah 31:4; Jeremiah 31:38-40).

b. The palace will be rebuilt and inhabited as of old, (Psalms 48:1­3, 13; 122:7).

2. Joy, thanksgiving, honor, praise, prosperity and stability describe the blessedness that awaits Judah’s restoration, (vs. 19-20, Psalms 126:1-2; Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 54:13-14; Isaiah 55:5; Isaiah 60:9; Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 31:17; Jeremiah 33:10-11; Jeremiah 33:22; Zephaniah 3:14-15).

3. To them will be given a ruler, from among themselves, who, as king-priest, will be able to draw near to God, (vs. 21; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24; comp. Numbers 16:5; Psalms 65:4).

4. The nation will then be restored to a position of covenant­relationship with Jehovah, (vs. 22; Jeremiah 32:38; comp. Exodus 6:7; Hosea 2:23).