The Lord Will Turn Mourning to Joy
Jer 31:1 “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
Jer 31:2 This is what the LORD says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”
Jer 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jer 31:4 I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
Jer 31:5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.
Jer 31:6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'”
Jer 31:7 This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
Jer 31:8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.
Jer 31:9 They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
Jer 31:10 “Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
Jer 31:11 For the LORD will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
Jer 31:12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.
Jer 31:13 Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jer 31:14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty,” declares the LORD.
Jer 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Jer 31:16 This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy.
Jer 31:17 So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the LORD. “Your children will return to their own land.
Jer 31:18 “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God.
Jer 31:19 After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
Jer 31:20 Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
Jer 31:21 “Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns.
Jer 31:22 How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The LORD will create a new thing on earth— the woman will return to the man.”
Jer 31:23 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: ‘The LORD bless you, you prosperous city, you sacred mountain.’
Jer 31:24 People will live together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks.
Jer 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Jer 31:26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.
Jer 31:27 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals.
Jer 31:28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.
Jer 31:29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
Jer 31:30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.
The New Covenant
Jer 31:31 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
Jer 31:32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.
Jer 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Jer 31:34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Jer 31:35 This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name:
Jer 31:36 “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.”
Jer 31:37 This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the LORD.
Jer 31:38 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this city will be rebuilt for me from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
Jer 31:39 The measuring line will stretch from there straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn to Goah.
Jer 31:40 The whole valley where dead bodies and ashes are thrown, and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate, will be holy to the LORD. The city will never again be uprooted or demolished.”
1 The restoration of Israel. 10 The publication thereof. 15 Rahel mourning is comforted. 18 Ephraim repenting is brought home again. 22 Christ is promised. 27 His care over the church. 31 His new covenant. 35 The stability, 38 and amplitude of the church.
The Lord Will Turn Mourning to Joy
Jer 31:1 “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
All the families of Israel. Chapter 31 continues the record of what Jeremiah wrote regarding the restoration of the whole nation of Israel. This chapter, like ch. 30, was written immediately after the interchange of letters between the prophet and the exiles (see on ch. 30:2), early in the reign of Zedekiah (see on ch. 29:2).
Jer 31:2 This is what the LORD says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”
Find favour. God assures His people in vs. 2, 3 that the evidence of His past love for them is the pledge of His future love toward them. Their forefathers escaped from the sword of the Egyptians in the Exodus, and so found “rest” through the divine deliverance.
Jer 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Everlasting love. See on Ex. 12:14; 21:6; 2 Kings 5:27. The prophet comforts his people by declaring that the divine love that was manifested toward their fathers is still extended toward them, for it is eternal (see Isa. 49:14–16). They cannot fail to be “drawn” toward God with the cords of His love (see Hosea 11:4), if they do not resist His grace.
Jer 31:4 I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again, you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.
Under God’s blessing the returned exiles did restore Jerusalem and its Temple. They re-established, in some measure at least, their religious, social, and political life. However, the full measure of prosperity predicted in ch. 31 was never realized because the people turned again and again from their glorious destiny (see PK 705; pp. 30–32).
O virgin of Israel. See on ch. 14:17.
Jer 31:5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.
Samaria. The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel is mentioned to indicate that some who belonged to the ten tribes would also be returned from exile.
Jer 31:6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'”
The fact that these “watchmen” of Ephraim, the dominant tribe of the northern kingdom, will urge the people to “go up to Zion” (Jerusalem) again emphasizes what is revealed in the previous verse, that all the twelve tribes will be united in one Israel.
The rival idolatrous worship set up at Bethel and Dan (see 1 Kings 12:26–33), which was designed to prevent the ten tribes of the northern kingdom from worshiping at the Temple in Jerusalem, would not be revived.
Jer 31:7 This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
Foremost of the nations,” referring to redeemed Israel.
Jer 31:8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.
For a partial fulfilment of this prophecy see on Ezra 3:12, 13.
Ephraim. As the most prominent of the ten northern tribes of Israel, Ephraim is employed here to represent all Israel (see Ex. 4:22; Eze. 37:19; Hosea 11:1–3).
Jer 31:9 They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
Jer 31:10 “Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
Jer 31:12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.
Shout for joy.
In vs. 12–14 Jeremiah tells of the blessings and prosperity to come upon the returned exiles. Their present “mourning” will be transformed into eternal “joy” and “comfort” if they remain obedient to the Lord’s plan for their restored nation.
Jer 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
A voice is heard. The prophet now contrasts by a different figure the place where the Jewish exiles would be taken in going from Jerusalem to Babylon. It was an assembly point for the captives prior to their arduous journey into captivity (see on Jer. 40:1).
The slaughter of some of the children of Israel by the Babylonians and the captivity of others, all taking place near the tomb of Rachel, reveal the appropriateness of this figure. Rachel is represented as witnessing the distress experienced by her descendants and as weeping bitterly for her children. Matthew, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, applied this passage to Herod’s massacre of the children of Bethlehem (see on Matt. 2:18).
Jer 31:16 This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy.
Restrain your voice. The prophet again encourages Judah to accept the captivity that must come (see ch. 29:5–7), and by faith to look forward to the nation’s restoration.
Jer 31:17 So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the LORD. “Your children will return to their own land.
Children will return. Primarily this refers to the return of the exiles from captivity. Secondarily it refers to that time when restoration will be permanent, the time of the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) at the second coming of Christ.
The promises found in Jer. 31:16, 17 may well give assurance to any modern Rachel in Israel, that if she is faithful to the Lord, her little children who have been claimed by death will be restored to her by the great Life-giver on the glad resurrection morn (see GC 645; PK 239).
Jer 31:18 “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God.
Ephraim bemoaning himself. The prophet looked forward to a time of repentance, at least on the part of some of the exiles. In their repentant state the Israelites would acknowledge that their sins merit the chastisement of God.
Unruly calf. As an animal not yet trained resists the yoke in vain, so Israel found by sad experience that their refusal to yield to God’s will was like kicking “against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). However, when humble repentance overcame their stubborn hearts, their cry was: “Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God.”
Jer 31:19 After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
After I strayed. Israel continues the penitent attitude expressed in v. 18. Sorrow for sin is shown emphatically by the figure employed, “I beat my breast” (see Luke 18:13).
Jer 31:20 Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore, my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
My dear son. See v. 9. God’s heart of love goes out to Ephraim, as a father ardently loves his beloved son (see Isa. 49:14–16).
For since I speak against him. Though I often as I speak against him.” Though God had to chastise His people for their sins, His love cannot let His chosen go.
Jer 31:21 “Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns.
God’s appeal to Israel is so to relate herself to Him in obedience and devotion that she may follow with joy and satisfaction the signposts, as it were, that will bring her safely back to her own land (see ch. 6:16).
Jer 31:21 “Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns.
Virgin Israel. See on ch. 14:17.
Jer 31:22 How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The LORD will create a new thing on earth— the woman will return to the man.”
Wander about uncertainly, hesitating between obedience and apostasy (see Hosea 2:7).
The woman represents Israel, who in her restoration would be stronger than her former conquerors.
Jer 31:23 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: ‘The LORD bless you, you prosperous city, you sacred mountain.’
Turning to the southern kingdom of Judah, the prophecy reveals that it also will be restored.
Jer 31:24 People will live together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks.
Literally, “farmers” (see on Isa. 65:21–23).
Jer 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Peace and contentment are the lot of those who walk in the ways of righteousness.
Jer 31:26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.
Evidently the vision of the previous verses was given to Jeremiah in his sleep (see Jer. 23:28; Joel 2:28).
Jer 31:27 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals.
It has ever been the divine purpose that in this earth there shall be a population of “people” and “animals,” for the glory of God and for the rejoicing of man (see Isa. 11:6–12; 65:17–25; Eze. 36:8–11; Joel 2:21–23).
Jer 31:28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.
Just as God had punished His people for their sins, so in His redemptive love He will give them peace and prosperity; He will watch over them, “to build, and to plant” (ch. 1:10).
Jer 31:29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’
Evidently the apostates of Jeremiah’s day soothed their conscience by blaming their fathers for their sufferings and woes (see on Eze. 18:2). Jeremiah, along with Ezekiel, was charged by God to inform the transgressors that guilt was an individual matter, that each man was responsible for his own deeds (see Jer. 31:30; see on Eze. 18:4).
Jer 31:30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.
The New Covenant
Jer 31:31 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
The Israelites had failed to meet the divine requirements because they endeavoured to be righteous through their own futile strivings. Recognizing this inherent human tendency, the Lord promised “a new covenant.”
By this arrangement man becomes holy through faith in the Redeemer and Sanctifier (see Gal. 3; Heb. 8:8–10; see on Eze. 16:60). It was God’s desire that the returned exiles should enter heart and soul into this “new covenant” experience. But the nation failed to measure up to its opportunities.
Jer 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Write it in their hearts. God’s law was not to be simply an external standard of righteousness. It was to be a spring of action to guide and control human conduct (see Rom. 8:1–4; 2 Cor. 3:3–6).
Jer 31:34 No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
The failure of God’s servants in large part to instruct the people in the real knowledge of God, because of the perfunctory performance of the observances and ceremonies of the old covenant, was to be corrected by the intimate acquaintance and fellowship believers would have with their Lord through the faith stimulated by the new covenant (see John 6:45, 46; 1 Cor. 2:6–16; Col. 1:27, 28).
Jer 31:35 This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name:
God refers to the surety and permanence of natural law and order as a guarantee of the surety and permanence of the “everlasting covenant” (see Jer. 32:40; cf. Isa. 55:3; Eze. 37:26).
Jer 31:36 “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.”
This promise, not fulfilled in literal Israel (see on v. 31), will be fulfilled in spiritual Israel, now the true “seed” of Abraham (see Gal. 3:29).
Jer 31:37 This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the LORD.
In the same manner as the new covenant sets forth the divine stability and permanence (see vs. 35, 36), it likewise emphasizes the truth that the human intellect cannot plumb the depth of the knowledge of the divine purpose regarding God’s people (see Rom. 11:33).
Jer 31:38 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this city will be rebuilt for me from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
A divine description, in terms that would be understood by the people of that time, of the completeness of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The “tower of Hananeel” was in the northern wall (see maps, Jerusalem and Environs in the Time of Jeremiah and Jerusalem Region), and “the gate of the corner” at the northwest corner (see Zech. 14:10); thus the new city would be complete from corner to corner.
Jer 31:39 The measuring line will stretch from there straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn to Goah.
There is no other mention of either Gareb or Goath in the OT. Gareb is unidentified but is believed to be to the south or the west of Jerusalem.
Jer 31:40 The whole valley where dead bodies and ashes are thrown, and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate, will be holy to the LORD. The city will never again be uprooted or demolished.”
Evidently a reference to the Valley of Hinnom (see on ch. 19:2). The “brook of Kidron” was the deep depression on the east side of the city, and the “horse gate” was “toward the east” of the Temple. All this area that was “thrown down” by the Babylonian invaders the prophet sees restored and made “holy unto the Lord.”