Restoration of Israel to Await the Messiah Jeremiah chapters 30-31

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) Jeremiah 30-33 is sometimes called the “Book of Consolation” After saying so much about Judah’s punishment, Jeremiah now “proclaims the glorious blessings that await Israel and Judah when the nations have been restored from captivity to await the coming of the Messiah.” (Humphries)

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) This section contains a blending of prophecy that refers simultaneously or alternately to the physical remnant of Israel AND to the future spiritual Messianic kingdom of Israel.

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) There are a number of messianic prophecies in this “Book of Consolation.” The remnant will serve David, their king (30:9). Their ruler shall come from their midst (30:21) “You shall be my people” (31:1, 7, 14, 33; 32:38; 33:24) Prophecies will be fulfilled in the “latter days” (30:24) Israel shall go up to Zion (31:6, 12; 32:36-44) A remnant shall be saved (31:7) There will be weeping at the birth of the Messiah (31:15). A new covenant will be made (31:31-34; 32:40). Jerusalem will be rebuilt (31:38-40; 32:36-37; 33:4-9) A king and priest will live forever (33:17-22).

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) God promises that Israel and Judah would return to the land (30:1-3) To what does the “time of Jacob’s trouble” refer (30:5-7)? What is symbolized by the Lord’s promise to break the yoke from the neck of Jacob and burst his bonds (30:8-10)? Would Jacob be enslaved to foreigners anymore? Who would rule over them? (30:9) What is the difference between what God intends for the nations into which Israel has been scattered and what He intends for Israel? (30:11)

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) The Lord has afflicted His people with a wound that only He can cure (30:12-24) Who were Israel’s “lovers” who forgot the nation in her time of trouble (30:12-14; 2:36-37; 4:30; 22:20- 22; 27:3)? After wounding Judah, what would the Lord do for her and what would He do to the nations who had devoured her (30:14-17)? What blessings will be upon the captives whom the Lord brings back to the Land (30:18-22)? Note the prophetic blend in 30:21-22. God’s people will be able to look back and see the power and wisdom with which the Lord accomplished His intention (30:23-24)

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) The Lord will bring back the remnant of Israel & Judah (31:1-14) God’s intention to draw His people back to Him is based on His everlasting love for them (31:1-3). Celebration and joy would characterize the rehabitation of the land by the remnant (31:4-14) But sorrow for sin and longing for mercy would motivate their return (31:9) Do we see again in this section a prophetic blend of the Lord’s intention for both physical Israel and spiritual Israel? How does the prophecy of Rachel weeping for her children, and the hope that ensues afterward, have a double fulfillment (31:15-20; Matthew 2:17-18)?

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) Israel would come back to the Lord by the way she went, and she would be rebuilt and blessed (31:21-30) What is Jeremiah’s reaction to receiving this vision (31:26)? What difference will there be in how the consequences of sin are experienced (31:29-30)? The Lord would make a new covenant with His people (31:31-34) When did this occur and through Whom was the covenant made (Hebrews 8:8-12)? “The Jew was born into the old covenant and had to be taught to know the Lord. How is the process of coming to the Lord different under the new covenant?”

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) The “fixed order” of the new covenant would be everlasting (31:35-40) This promise is made in view of the new covenant which is a spiritual covenant. Israel here is therefore spiritual Israel (Galatians 3:26-29; 6:16; Romans 2:28-29; 9:6-8) The inheritance, which is pictured by Jeremiah as permanent and indestructible, is also spiritual: Hebrews 9:15  “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Galatians 3:26-29  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  27  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  29  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Romans 2:28-29  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;  29  but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.