Jeremiah30
New Living Translation
1The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,
2“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write down for the record everything I have said to you, Jeremiah.
3For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
4This is the message the Lord gave concerning Israel and Judah.
5This is what the Lord says: “I hear cries of fear; there is terror and no peace.
6Now let me ask you a question: Do men give birth to babies? Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced, hands pressed against their sides like a woman in labor?
7In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel. Yet in the end they will be saved!
8For in that day,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will break the yoke from their necks and snap their chains. Foreigners will no longer be their masters.
9For my people will serve the Lord their God and their king descended from David— the king I will raise up for them.
10“So do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel,” says the Lord. “For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them.
11For I am with you and will save you,” says the Lord. “I will completely destroy the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”
12This is what the Lord says: “Your injury is incurable— a terrible wound.
13There is no one to help you or to bind up your injury. No medicine can heal you.
14All your lovers—your allies—have left you and do not care about you anymore. I have wounded you cruelly, as though I were your enemy. For your sins are many, and your guilt is great.
15Why do you protest your punishment— this wound that has no cure? I have had to punish you because your sins are many and your guilt is great.
16“But all who devour you will be devoured, and all your enemies will be sent into exile. All who plunder you will be plundered, and all who attack you will be attacked.
17I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the Lord. “For you are called an outcast— ‘Jerusalem for whom no one cares.’”
18This is what the Lord says: “When I bring Israel home again from captivity and restore their fortunes, Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins, and the palace reconstructed as before.
19There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people, not diminish them; I will honor them, not despise them.
20Their children will prosper as they did long ago. I will establish them as a nation before me, and I will punish anyone who hurts them.
21They will have their own ruler again, and he will come from their own people. I will invite him to approach me,” says the Lord, “for who would dare to come unless invited?
22You will be my people, and I will be your God.”
23Look! The Lord’s anger bursts out like a storm, a driving wind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked.
24The fierce anger of the Lord will not diminish until it has finished all he has planned. In the days to come you will understand all this.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 30.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Troubles which shall be before the restoration of Israel. (1-11). Encouragement to trust Divine promises. (12-17). The blessings under Christ, and the wrath on the wicked. (18-24).
vv1-11
Jeremiah is to write what God had spoken to him. The very words are such as the Holy Ghost teaches. These are the words God ordered to be written; and promises written by his order, are truly his word. He must write a description of the trouble the people were now in, and were likely to be in. A happy end should be put to these calamities. Though the afflictions of the church may last long, they shall not last always. The Jews shall be restored again. They shall obey, or hearken to the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of David, their King. The deliverance of the Jews from Babylon, is pointed out in the prophecy, but the restoration and happy state of Israel and Judah, when converted to Christ their King, are foretold; also the miseries of the nations before the coming of Christ. All men must honour the Son as they honour the Father, and come into the service and worship of God by him. Our gracious Lord pardons the sins of the believer, and breaks off the yoke of sin and Satan, that he may serve God without fear, in righteousness and true holiness before him all the remainder of his days, as the redeemed subject of Christ our King.
vv12-17
When God is against a people, who will be for them? Who can be for them, so as to do them any kindness? Incurable griefs are owing to incurable lusts. Yet, though the captives suffered justly, and could not help themselves, the Lord intended to appear for them, and to punish their oppressors; and he will still do so. But every effort to heal ourselves must prove fruitless, so long as we neglect the heavenly Advocate and sanctifying Spirit. The dealings of His grace with every true convert, and every returning backslider, are the same in effect as his proceedings to the Jews.
vv18-24
We have here further intimations of the favour of God for them after the days of their calamity have expired. The proper work and office of Christ, as Mediator, is to draw near unto God, for us, as the High Priest of our profession. His own undertaking, in compliance with his Father's will, and in compassion to fallen man, engaged him. Jesus Christ was, in all this, truly wonderful. They shall be taken again into covenant with the Lord, according to the covenant made with their fathers. "I will be your God:" it is his good-will to us, which is the summary of that part of the covenant. The wrath of God against the wicked is very terrible, like a whirlwind. The purposes of his wrath, as well as the purposes of his love, will all be fulfilled. God will comfort all that turn to him; but those who approach him must have their hearts engaged to do it with reverence, devotion, and faith. How will they escape who neglect so great salvation?
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כֹּה: properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כָּתַב: to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
סֵפֶר: properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
Cross References
Jeremiah 30Parallels Israel serving the Lord and David their king/shepherd, raised up to rule over them.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophesies that Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The supreme parallel for a unique, unparalleled day of trouble for Jacob out of which they are delivered.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbatim repetition of Jeremiah's assurance: 'Fear not thou, O my servant Jacob... neither be dismayed.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats God's promise to correct in measure, making a full end of nations but not of Jacob.
Supported by JFB
Confirms God will destroy sinful kingdoms, yet not utterly destroy the house of Jacob.
Supported by JFB
Direct internal connection; the prophet repeats and explains that the incurable wound is due to abundant sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Establishes the priestly/mediatorial right of approach to God, prefiguring Christ's supreme engagement of heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbatim parallel describing the whirlwind of the Lord going forth in fury upon the head of the wicked.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Highlights the command to write all spoken words in a book/scroll for a permanent record.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Connects the restoration of Judah and Israel with the raising of the righteous Branch of David.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reinforces the mercy shown in bringing back the captivity of the whole house of Israel.
Supported by JFB
An earlier verbal echo in Jeremiah comparing Zion's anguish to a woman in travail.
Supported by JFB
Provides the background that many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Ephraim seeing his sickness and wound, yet being unable to find healing or a cure.
Supported by JFB
Genesis usage of 'latter days' aligning with Jeremiah's expectation of ultimate consideration of God's plans.
Supported by John Calvin