Jeremiah 31

A.M. 3410. B.C. 594.

This chapter contains the second and third parts of the prophecy begun in the preceding chapter, embellished with a variety of beautiful scenes and images.

(1,) God here announces the renewal of his ancient love for Israel, and promises them a speedy restoration of their privileges and happiness, Jeremiah 31:1-5 .

(2,) Watchmen, or heralds, are represented as proclaiming on mount Ephraim the arrival of the joyful day; summoning the people to reassemble once more in Zion; and promulging, by special command, the glad tidings of salvation which God had accomplished for them, Jeremiah 31:6 , Jeremiah 31:7 .

(3,) God himself declares his readiness to conduct home the remnant of Israel, to compassionate and relieve their infirmities, and to provide them with all necessary accommodations by the way; 8, Jeremiah 31:9 .

(4,) The news is carried into distant lands; and the nations are summoned to attend to the display of God’s power and goodness in rescuing his people from their stronger enemies, and supplying them with all good things, Jeremiah 31:10-14 .

(5,) Rachel, bewailing the loss of her children, is comforted, and assured her sorrow for them shall be at an end, Jeremiah 31:15-17 . And Ephraim, lamenting his past disobedience and obstinacy, acknowledging that he had been justly chastised, and praying earnestly to be converted, is accepted as a child, and brought home again, Jeremiah 31:18-20 .

(6,) The virgin of Israel is exhorted to hasten the preparations for her return, and encouraged with the prospect of having a signal miracle wrought in her favour, Jeremiah 31:21 , Jeremiah 31:22 .

(7,) The vision closes with a promise that the divine blessing should again rest upon the land of Judah, and that God’s people should once more dwell there, cultivating it according to the simplicity of ancient institutions, and fully discharged from every want, Jeremiah 31:23-26 .

(8,) Several gracious promises are annexed by way of appendix to the vision: That God would be as diligent to restore as he had ever been to destroy them; and would not any more visit the offences of the fathers upon the children, Jeremiah 31:27-30 . That he would make with them a better covenant than he had made with their forefathers, Jeremiah 31:31-34 . That they should continue his people by an ordinance as firm and lasting as that of the heavens, Jeremiah 31:35-37 ; and that Jerusalem should again be built, enlarged in its extent, and secure from future desolation, Jeremiah 31:38-40 .