DBG - August 22 - Jeremiah 30-32

In this chapter is a view of Israel’s restoration in the End Times.

vs. 1-11 – Jeremiah is commanded to write his prophecy into a book so that it would be remembered for generations.  He then speaks of the regathering of the Jews to the Promised Land.  In part, this refers to hope of return beyond the Babylonian Captivity.  However, as we continue reading this passage it becomes clearer that this has not yet been fulfilled in every detail.  It points to the End Times.  The “time of Jacob’s trouble” is the Tribulation.  The reign of the Messiah is described in vs. 9. 

vs. 12-17 – The deep sin of the Jews that led to the Captivity continues today.  The promise of God is not that they will be cast our or replaced, but that they will be restored and healed.  God is not finished with Israel.

vs. 18-24 – Here begins a description of the Millennial Kingdom.  Christ conquers in vs. 23, and the blessings of the Kingdom are poured out on Israel.

In this chapter we see the complete restoration of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom.

vs. 1-9 – The full restoration of Israel is seen.  This includes both divisions of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.  We note here how carefully the old Northern Kingdom is remembered with references to Ephraim and Samaria.  This points to the End Times as there is no historical fulfillment that fits this description.

vs. 10-14 – The great joy of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom.

vs. 15-21 – Matthew 2:17-18 quotes vs. 15 as a prophecy of Herod’s Slaughter of the Innocents when he attempted to kill the Christ as an infant.  That is not the only fulfillment of this passage.  Rachel’s children were Joseph and Benjamin, and Joseph’s children were Ephraim and Manasseh.  Those two tribes of Joseph were in the Northern Kingdom, which is finally and completely reunited with Judah in the End Times.

vs. 22-26 – The exaltation of Israel from a wayward daughter to a warrior queen under the Messiah.  This allows for great prosperity and peace in the land.

vs. 27-30 – God’s hand of judgment that was on Judah in Jeremiah’s day will be replaced by His hand of blessing.

vs. 31-34 – The establishment of the New Covenant between God and Israel.  The Old Covenant at Mt. Sinai looked forward to the Cross and this New Covenant looks back at it.  See Hebrews 8:8-13 for a discussion of this topic.

vs. 35-40 – God assures us by His almighty power that He will establish Israel and build Jerusalem as a great capital.  This is the promise of the Millennial Kingdom.

In this chapter Jeremiah buys a field as a sign of Israel’s restoration after judgment.

 vs. 1-5 – This chapter takes place in 587 B.C., only a year before Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.  Jeremiah has been imprisoned, which will be explained further in Chapter 37.  Jeremiah’s crime was his faithful prophecy of the coming fall of Jerusalem.

vs. 6-15 – God uses a real estate transaction as an object lesson.  His nephew Hanameel (“whom God graciously gave”) was selling his family field in their hometown of Anathoth.  Jeremiah was the next of kin with the responsibility to redeem the land (Leviticus 25:25).  The details of the transaction are fascinating.  Note that the silver is weighted because there is no standard coinage in use at this time.  The 17 shekels would be roughly $500 today.  Two records of the transactions are made.  The purpose of one being sealed and the other not is a type of security mechanism.  If someone produced a false copy of the deed it could be compared to the sealed copy.  If these did not match, then the false copy was revealed.  It was common in times of distress for ancient peoples to place valuable items in clay jars and bury them.  This is the purpose of hiding away the records.  It meant that there was hope beyond the Babylonian victory and that someone would return and claim the land title.  Also noteworthy in this passage is the first appearance of Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch (“blessed”).

vs. 16-25 – Jeremiah prays for understanding regarding the real estate transaction God had just commanded him to make.  He lays out the history of God’s dealings with Israel as a foundation of hope that God had a purpose in this. 

vs. 26-44 – God responds to Jeremiah’s prayer.  First, He declares the coming judgment and fall of Jerusalem.  Second, He gives the reason for it as the great sin of the people.  Third, He promises that there will be a return from the coming captivity.

Jeremiah is certainly not the only person to suffer in their service to God.  One of the beautiful aspects of this book is that we not only see his boldness of proclaiming an unpopular message, but also the humanity of the man who was persecuted and attacked for his faithful stand.  We read often of the times he would go to the Lord and cry out for strength and understanding.  God knew the great burden Jeremiah carried and patiently encourages him.  When we obey God in faith, He will not abandon.  Look to Him to uphold you or to pick you up when your strength runs out.  He knows our frailty and readily supplies His great power to lift us up.

“This Is My Father’s World” was written in 1901 by Matlbie D. Babcock. It is a wonderful celebration of our great Creator and how His Creation brings Him glory (Psalm 19:1)

This is my Father’s world,