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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:1-6

The promise of Jeremiah 30:22 is expressly declared to apply to both sections of the nation. Jehovah thus solemnly declares his purpose of mercy, and dwells with special Madness on the happy future of Ephraim. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:1-9

The restoration of Israel. To cheer the hearts of the exiles, to lift up the despondent, and to vindicate the faithfulness of God, is the intent of this and the many other predictions concerning the restoration of Israel. In a limited sense they were fulfilled by the restoration at the close of the Captivity; but the events of that period can hardly be said to have filled up the meaning of the emphatic language which the prophets were wont to employ. Hence it has been felt to be necessary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:2

The people which were left of the sword, etc.; literally, the people of those left of the sword. The expression clearly implies that the Jews at the time spoken of had escaped, or were about to escape, in some great battle or some other kind of slaughter. Hence the finding grace in the wilderness cannot refer to the sequel of the passage through the Red Sea, and we must perforce explain it of the second great deliverance, viz. from the Babylonian exile. This view is strongly confirmed by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:2

Grace preparing for grace. There is some doubt as to the time alluded to, whether that of the Exodus or that of the Exile. A careful examination would seem to make it clear that the former alone corresponds to the description. Pharaoh's cruel edict and the judgments and wars of the desert thinned the ranks of the Israelites. A remnant was left, with whom God entered into covenant relationship. Their survival under these circumstances was a sign of the Divine favour, at the time hard to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:2

Troubles lessened by increase. "The people which were … wilderness." The sword by which Israel had been decimated, her ranks thinned, her homes desolated—what a trouble was that! And now it is to be followed by "the wilderness"—that "waste howling wilderness" so vividly described by Moses ( Deuteronomy 1:19 ; Deuteronomy 8:15 ; Deuteronomy 32:10 ). This would seem another, a new, a sore trouble, but it was to be the means of healing the wound caused by the first. Cf. "I have given... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me. The Church of the faithful Israel is the speaker. "From afar" (so we ought to render, rather than "of old") she sees Jehovah, with the eye of faith, approaching to redeem her; comp. Isaiah 40:10 and Isaiah 59:20 (only that in these passages it is to Jerusalem, and not to Babylon, that Jehovah "comes" as the Redeemer); also the promise in Jeremiah 30:10 , "I will save thee from afar," and Jeremiah 51:50 , quoted above. Saying, Yea, I have loved... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

The everlasting love of God. God appeared "from afar" to Jeremiah. When he seems to have forsaken us he is not loving us the less. In these dark hours he may give to us, as to Jeremiah, the richest assurance of his everlasting love. I. CONSIDER THE WONDER OF THE FACT THAT GOD 'S LOVE IS EVERLASTING . There is a wonder about this fact, since there are so many things that might well be thought likely to limit and stay the love of God to such beings as we are, viz.: ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

The character of the Divine love inferred from its history. I. ITS HISTORY 1 . It was self-declared . A free, spontaneous promise on God's part. This revelation was itself a grace, as the actual sentiment of God toward Israel might have been concealed. By the circumstances of its declaration all doubt was removed, and it became a fundamental article of Jewish faith, and a factor of Jewish life and national development. 2 . It existed from the very first. (Cf. Deuteronomy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

The love of God. In these chapters, the thirtieth and the thirty-first, we have a delightful change from the prolonged accusations, warnings, and threatenings which form the staple of well nigh all that has gone before. Here we have a series of good and comfortable words designed for the encouragement of God's people in the midst of the sorrows of their exile. This verse declares that the love of God was the real cause of all that had befallen his people. Now— I. WITHOUT DOUBT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:3

God's will done at last. I. WHAT IS THAT WILL ? To gather his children round him. God creates each individual soul only that he may have fresh objects on which to lavish his love. The "dower of blessed children" which God gives to us, he gives because he delights in the possession of children. And the Father of us all wants us to gather around him in the true home of our souls. II. THE MOTIVE OF THAT WILL . Love. What else can it be? III. THE FORM IT ... read more

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