He Promises to Restore Joy
May 14, 2022
Commentary
God promises all the tribes of Israel that He will restore them (vv. 1-2). Despite Judah’s rejection and apostasy, God loved them (v. 3). “Loving kindness” refers to God condescending in goodness to the needs of His people. He says that I will restore your joy (v. 4). Once again you will be able to plant your gardens and enjoy the fruit of your labors (v. 5). He is eager to do the best for them if they will only let Him.
One of the Hebrew descriptions of a prophet is “watchman .” The prophet says, the day is coming when the “watchman” will call from the hill country of Mt Ephraim, “Arise, and let us go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord our God” (v. 6). Sing and shout with praise and joy, “O Lord save your people who are the remnant of Israel” (v. 7) for I will bring them from the distant corners of the earth (v. 8)! Joy and providential care will accompany the pilgrims on their way home (v. 9). With weeping they shall come and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back. A missionary mandate is proclaimed to listen to the message from the Lord and declare it in other countries (v. 10). He said, “I have redeemed Jacob” (v. 11). Israel will come home and sing songs of joy on the hills of Jerusalem (v. 12). Their life will be like a watered garden and all their sorrows will be gone. Both the old and the young will join in the celebration (v. 13). He says that “My people will be satisfied with my goodness” (v. 14).
Application
God has a plan for my life just as he has a plan for Israel because he loves me.
Jeremiah 31:1– 14 (NET)
1 At that time I will be the God of all the clans of Israel and they will be my people. I, the Lord, affirm it!”
2 The Lord says: “The people of Israel who survived death at the hands of the enemy will find favor in the wilderness as they journey to find rest for themselves.
3 In a faraway land the Lord will manifest himself to them. He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.
4 I will rebuild you, my dear children Israel, so that you will once again be built up. Once again you will take up the tambourine and join in the happy throng of dancers.
5 Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. Those who plant them will once again enjoy their fruit.
6 Yes, a time is coming when watchmen will call out on the mountains of Ephraim, “Come! Let us go to Zion to worship the Lord our God!”’”
7 Moreover, the Lord says: “Sing for joy for the descendants of Jacob. Utter glad shouts for that foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard. Then say, ‘Lord, rescue your people. Deliver those of Israel who remain alive.’
8 Then I will reply, ‘I will bring them back from the land of the north. I will gather them in from the distant parts of the earth. Blind and lame people will come with them, so will pregnant women and women about to give birth. A vast throng of people will come back here.
9 They will come back shedding tears of contrition. I will bring them back praying prayers of repentance. I will lead them besides streams of water, along smooth paths where they will never stumble. I will do this because I am Israel’s father; Ephraim is my firstborn son.’”
10 Listen to the Lord’s message, O nations. Proclaim it in the faraway lands along the sea. Say, “The one who scattered Israel will regather them. He will watch over his people like a shepherd watches over his flock.”
11 For the Lord will rescue the descendants of Jacob. He will secure their release from those who had overpowered them.
12 They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion. They will be radiant with joy over the good things the Lord provides, the grain, the fresh wine, the olive oil, the young sheep, and the calves he has given to them. They will be like a well-watered garden and will not grow faint or weary any more.
13 The Lord says, “At that time young women will dance and be glad. Young men and old men will rejoice. I will turn their grief into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy in place of their sorrow.
14 I will provide the priests with abundant provisions. My people will be filled to the full with the good things I provide.”