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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
30:1-33:26 Restoration for Judah and Israel. The book now turns to positive themes. At last Jeremiah may "build and plant" (1:10). He claims that God will restore the nation (ch. 30), make a new covenant with Israel (ch. 31), bring Israel back to the Promised Land (ch. 32), and honor the Davidic covenant (ch. 33).
30:1-24 God Will Restore the Nation. This chapter serves as an introduction to this section (chs. 30-33). Jeremiah emphasizes hope (30:1-11), healing (vv. 12-17), and rebuilding (vv. 18-24).
30:2 Write in a book. See 25:13; 36:2. This would preserve the words for future generations. all the words. See 30:4ff.
30:3 days are coming. in the future (25:12). I will bring them back. After the exiles seek God with all their heart (27:22; 29:10-14).
30:4 These promises of hope include the long-defeated Israel, not just Judah. The whole nation will be united again.
30:5-6 God announces a time of terror. Israel's men (perhaps "soldiers") writhe in pain and anguish like a woman in labor, due to the extreme situation (4:31; 6:24; 22:23).
30:7 That day. The day of the Lord, the day of judgment (Isa. 2:6-22; Amos 5:18-20; etc.; see also The Day of the Lord in the Prophets). time of distress for Jacob. Israel will suffer. yet he shall be saved out of it. The day of judgment will remove Israel's foes.
30:8 yoke. See 2:20; 5:5; 27:8-12; 28:1-17. burst your bonds. See 2:20; 5:5. foreigners. Such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. servant. As Israel was in pre-exodus days (Ex. 2:23-25; 5:10-23).
30:9 The people will respond to the deliverance by serving God and the Davidic king (23:1-8). For David as the name of the Davidic king (and ultimately the Messiah), see Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Hos. 3:5. This service will be a complete reversal of their previous disobedience.
30:10 fear not. Because God will act on the nation's behalf. Jacob my servant. See note on Isa. 42:1-9. Jacob shall return. The exile will end when the people return home.
30:11 I am with you to save you. For God to be "with" someone is for him to give his help for that person to carry out his calling (1:8, 19; 15:20; 20:11; 42:11; 46:28; see Gen. 39:2-3). make a full end. Completely destroy (Jer. 46:28).
30:14 lovers. Former allies and their gods (3:1-2; 4:30; 22:20-23; Lam. 1:2, 19). the blow of an enemy. God turned from fighting for Israel (Ex. 15:1-18) to fighting against Israel (Jer. 11:14-17; 15:1-9; 27:8). guilt is great. Israel sought other gods in violation of their covenant with God.
30:15 pain is incurable. Israel's defeat and resulting loss are terrible (see note on 17:9). Because your guilt is great. Covenant infidelity has caused devastation (6:1-15; 15:1-9).
30:18 Every possible level of society will be renewed, from clans living in tents, to city dwellers living in towns built on a mound of rubble, to royalty living in a restored palace.
30:19 Singing will replace sorrow, growth will replace decimation, and honor will replace shame.
30:20 congregation. The community gathered by God for instruction, worship, or judicial decision making (Ex. 12:3; 35:1; 1 Kings 8:5). established before me. Regain God's favor.
30:21 Israel's ruler will no longer be a foreigner, as during the exile, but will be one of themselves. He will be able, once again, to draw near to God as Israel's representative.
30:22 Jeremiah expects the privilege of the covenant (Ex. 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Deut. 27:9) to be renewed, especially after the exile (cf. Jer. 24:7; 31:1, 33; 32:38; Ezek. 11:20; 14:11; 36:28; 37:23, 27; Zech. 8:8).
