INTRODUCTION

A. The Restoration of the nation of Israel to the land of Canaan from Babylonian captivity has been misused by premillennialists to try to show that there is still a future giving of Canaan to the Israelites and that this giving will take place in connection with the second appearing of Jesus.

B.   Jeremiah 30-33 shows Jehovah’s teaching concerning this restoration from Babylon and all that was involved in such.  One will see, as he examines this teaching, that both a return from Babylon and the coming of the Messiah were involved.

C.  Let us study these four chapters and learn from them.

DISCUSSION

 JEREMIAH  CHAPTER THIRTY

I.   THE WRITTEN WORD OF JEHOVAH (Jeremiah 30:1-3).

A.  "Chapters 30-33 form sort of a unit in which words of hope are given to the suffering Hebrew nation.  Within the narrative is a mingling of the temporal and spiritual - a physical return from the captivity, and yet further - a preview of the coming Messiah and the blessings of his church.  The message may have been penned not long before the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C." 

B.   Jeremiah was commanded to write the words of Jehovah in a book (30:1,2).

C.   The days to come (30:3; 29:10).

1.   Jehovah would visit Israel and Judah in captivity.

2.   Jehovah would restore Israel and Judah to Palestine (16:15; 23:7,8; Ezekiel 20:42; 36:24).

 
3.  "…during the 'restoration' following the exile, refugees from both Israel and Judah (remember that Babylon had conquered Assyria-- where Israel had gone) returned to Palestine.  When the restored temple was dedicated, sacrifices were offered for the twelve tribes (cf. Ezra 6:17).  Prof. Rawlinson notes:  'We may assume that some of every tribe had returned with Zerubbabel, and that consequently it was possible to regard the re-established people as 'Israel' (comp. Neh. 11:20; Zech. 8:13; Mal. 1:1)' (Rawlinson, 87)."  

II.   SALVATION OUT OF THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE (Jeremiah 30:4-11).

A.   The time of Jacob's trouble.  The Babylonian army is upon the city, and two carryings away have already occurred (30:4-7).

1.   It is a time of trembling and fear and not of peace (30:4,5).

2.  It is compared to the pain of childbirth (30:6; 4:31; 6:24; 22:23).

3.   It is a day unlike any other.  It is described as "the time of Jacob's trouble" (30:7; 2:27,28; 14:8).

B.   The salvation out of the time of Jacob's trouble (30:8-11).

1.   A specific day was in view (30:8).

a.   This would be the day Babylon fell.  This would signal the end of the captivity.

b.   "'The overthrow of Babylon will mark the beginning of God's defense of His people, and will serve as a foretaste of what He will do for them right on down to the time of the End' (Gray, 424)."  

2.   A contrast in service was in view (30:9).

a.   They would no more serve strangers.

b.   They would serve Jehovah.  This would refer to the return from Babylon.

c.   They would serve David their king who would be raised up unto them.  This would refer to the church age and the Messiah.

1) Isaiah 55:3-5.

2)   Ezekiel 34:23,24; 37:24,25.

3)   Hosea 3:5.

4)   Luke 1:69.

 
5)   Acts 2:30; 13:23,24,38.

6)   "The Targum paraphrases:  '[T]hey shall serve Messiah, Son of David, their king' (Smith, 470).” 

3.   A conclusion of hope was reached (30:10,11).

a.   Fear would be removed.  One of the themes of the Bible is "Fear Not" (30:10).

1)  They would be saved out of captivity by Cyrus.

2)  They would return to Canaan and dwell in safety.

b.   A full end would be averted (30:11).

1)   Fellowship with Jehovah would be the basis.

2)   Salvation from Jehovah would be the reward.

3)   Destruction of the enemy would be accomplished.

4)   Correction in judgment would deal with sin (4:27; 5:10,18).

III.  RESTORATION OF HEALTH TO JUDAH (Jeremiah 30:12-22).

A.   The state of Judah (30:12-14).

1.   Judah was grievously wounded by sin (30:12).

2.   Judah was without defense (30:13).

3.   Judah was without medicine to heal herself (30:13).

4.   Judah was without allies who could deliver her (30:14).

B.   The sentence from Jehovah (30:14,15).

1.   The chastisement of Jehovah.

a.   He had brought a cruel one (Babylon) to wound Judah.

b.   He had brought incurable pain (captivity) upon Judah.

 
2.   The cause of the chastisement.

a.   The greatness of iniquity (5:6).

b.   The increase of sins.

C.   The salvation from Jehovah (30:16-22).

1.   He would punish those who had devoured Judah (30:16).

2.   He would restore Judah to health and heal her wounds (30:17).

a.   This would be done through repentance on Judah's part and restoration to Palestine on Jehovah's part.

b.   This would be done, because when the nations cast an aspersion on Judah, it was a reflection on Jehovah.  This shows that Jehovah intended to influence the nations through His people.

3.   He would return Judah to a state of blessedness.  This has two aspects (30:18-22).

a.   The return from captivity would be accomplished (30:18-20).

1)   The city and palace would be rebuilt (30:18).

2)   The sounds of joy would be restored (30:19).

3)   The productivity of the nation would be renewed (30:19,20).

b.   The church would be established (30:21,22).

1)  A prince would arise to rule.  He would descend from Judah (30:21).

a)   Genesis 49:10.

b)   2 Samuel 7:11-16.

c)   Isaiah 9:6,7.

d)   Zechariah 6:13.

 
2)   A priest would approach Jehovah in behalf of the peo ple (30:21).

a)   Zechariah 6:12,13.

b)   Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews).

3)   A people would be possessed by Jehovah (30:22; 32:38).

a)   Exodus 6:7.

b)   Hosea 2:23.

c) Zechariah 13:9.

d) 1 Peter 2:9.

4) This would be accomplished through the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Christ.

a)   Psalm 24:7-10.

b)   Daniel 7:9-14.

c)   Luke 24:50-53.

d)   Acts 1:6-11.

IV.   WRATH FROM JEHOVAH (Jeremiah 30:23,24).

A.   Before the restoration can occur, the punishment must take place.  He would accomplish His wrath upon the head of the wicked (Judah) by means of Babylon (30:23).

B.   A set time was placed upon the wrath of Jehovah (30:24; 23:19,20).  This time would be 70 years.

C.   Judah would understand in the "latter days."  This would point toward the church age.

 JEREMIAH CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

I.   THE REST FOR ISRAEL (Jeremiah 31:1-6).

 
A.   "At that time" ties this chapter to chapter 30 and the promises for the future.

1.   Jeremiah 30:24 introduced the latter days, at which time Judah would understand the full import of these promises.

2.   This would all begin with the return from Babylonian captivity and be fully realized in the church.

B.   The rest would provide for a renewed relationship between Jehovah and His people (31:1; 30:22).

1.   Genesis 17:7,8.

2.  Isaiah 41:10.

3.   Romans 11:26-28.

C.  The rest would be caused by Jehovah (31:2).

1.  The grace of God is exhibited toward the remnant: "Favor."

2.   The care of God is exhibited toward the remnant: "Rest."

D.   The rest would exhibit Jehovah's love and mercy (31:3).

1.   The one behind the love: "Jehovah."

2.   The extent of the love: "Everlasting."  The punishment of the captivity was a part of Jehovah's love for His people.

3.   The activity of the love.

a.   It was an expression of mercy: "Lovingkindness."

b.   It was an exhibition of power: "Drawn thee."

E.   The rest would cause Israel to be built again (31:4,5).

1.   Joy would return (31:4).  This had been removed by the captivity (7:34; 16:9; 25:10).

2.   Prosperity would return (31:5).

F.   The rest would be a time of unity for Israel (Ephraim) and Judah (Zion;  31:6).

 
1.   The people would be one again.

2.   The one people would worship Jehovah again.

II.   THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL (Jeremiah 31:7-9).

A.   The salvation of the remnant would begin with the return from Babylon, but only be fully realized in the church.

B.   The proclamation of the salvation of the remnant (31:7).

1.   It would be accompanied by singing and shouting.

2.   It would be accompanied by publishing and praise.

C.   The people who would make up the saved remnant (31:8).

1.   They would be those who had been scattered.

a.   In the north country (Babylon; 3:18; 23:8).

b.   In the other parts of the earth (may refer to Assyria).

1)   Deuteronomy 30:4.

2)   Isaiah 43:6.

2.   They would include those with various burdens.

3.   They would make up a great company.  Since not very many came back in the returns from Babylon, the ultimate fulfillment of this would have to be in the church.

D.   The penitence which would characterize the remnant (31:9).

1.  There would be tears of penitence.

2.   There would be supplications for forgiveness.

3.   There would be provisions of restoration.

a.   Rivers of waters: Abundance and refreshing.

b.   No stumbling: Protection from apostasy.

 
c.   A father/first-born relationship.

1)   Ephraim became the prominent tribe in Israel and in the sense of priority and position is considered a first-born.  
a)   Psalm 89:27.

b)   Colossians 1:13-20.

2)   All of the blessings would come because of this renewed relationship.

III.   THE RANSOMED JACOB (Jeremiah 31:10-14).

A.   The responsibility of the nations (Gentiles; 31:10).  The Gentiles were to recognize the power of Jehovah, as distinguished from idols, through His dealings with Israel.

1.   They knew He had sent them to Babylon.

2.   They would see Him restore them from Babylon.

B.   The ransom (31:11-14).

1.  It would involve redemption of Jacob from one stronger (Babylon; 31:11).

2.  It would involve restoration (31:12).

a.   To the height of Zion.

b.   To the goodness of Jehovah: They would "flow."  This is the terminology used by the prophets to refer to conversion in the church.

1)   Isaiah 2:2.

2)   Micah 4:1.

c.   To the productivity of the original promise to Abraham.

1)   Hosea 2:22.

2)   Joel 3:18.

 
3.   It would involve rejoicing (31:13).

a.   Mourning turned into joy.

b.   Sorrow turned into rejoicing.

4.   It would involve resources (31:14).

a.   The priests would be satiated with fatness.  This would mean that true worship had been restored and the people were sacrificing according to the law.

b.   The people would be satisfied with the goodness of Jehovah.   This would mean that idolatry had been removed.

IV.   THE REWARDED RACHEL (Jeremiah 31:15-20).

A.   The voice in Ramah (31:15).

1.   Ramah was in Benjamin, five miles north of Jerusalem (Joshua 18:25).

2.  Ramah was the place from which Nebuchadnezzar had taken many of Judah to Babylon (40:1).

3.   The voice was one of lamentation and bitter weeping.  The voice of Rachel weeping for her children.

a.   Rachel was the grandmother of Ephraim, who at times stood for the entire nation.

b.   Rachel's weeping (figuratively, because she had been long dead) would be for Judah in captivity.

 
4.   This passage has a New Testament application (Matthew 2:17,18). "'The point of resemblance may be that in either case the temporary suffering was the precursor of a joyful future.  As the Babylonish exile was soon followed by the Restoration (see Jer. 31,16-40) so the massacre at Bethlehem was followed by the ministry of Christ and his salvation' (Alexander, 40; cf. Carson, 95).  Is it not the case that the omniscient Spirit of God, who inspired both Jeremiah and Matthew, could have looked across the years and noted the circumstances that would transpire with reference to both cases, and that his divine words had a partial application to Jeremiah's day, but a complete and final fulfillment in Matthew's time?  One should avoid any view of prophecy/fulfillment which suggests that a New Testament writer wrested a passage from its original setting and used it for his own purpose." 

B.   The refrain for the voice in Ramah (31:16-20).

1.   A reward is planned for Rachel's children (work; 31:16).

2.   A return is planned for Rachel's children (31:16,17; 30:3; 29:11).

3.   A repentance is planned for Rachel's children (31:18,19).

a.   There will be moaning because of sin (31:18,19).

1)   Ezekiel 21:12.

2)   Luke 18:13.

b.   There will be acceptance of punishment (31:18).

c.   There will be a change of heart (31:18,19; 17:14; Acts 3:26).

d.   There will be a recognition of sin (31:19; 2:21).

4.   A remembrance is planned for Rachel's children (31:20).

a.   Jehovah loved Ephraim (Israel) and punished him because of sin.

b.   Jehovah loved Ephraim (Israel) and would have mercy on him to bring him back after the punishment had accomplished its purpose (30:23,24).

V.   THE RETURN OF ISRAEL (Jeremiah 31:21-22).

A.  Israel was to mark the way back home (31:21).

B.   Israel was to turn (repent) so she could be returned to her land (31:21).

C.  Israel was to decide to return to Jehovah (31:22).

D.  Israel's return to Jehovah was to be based on the actions of Jehovah (31:22).

1.   He had created a new thing in the earth:  A woman shall encompass a man.

 
a.   The word, "encompassed," is a word that can mean "lead, direct, to be like or to be equal to."

b.   "Many of the older commentators saw here a prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus.  Wiseman notes:  'A traditional Christian interpretation is that a woman's womb shall (miraculously) bear a son:  this would foretell the incarnation of Christ (cf. Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:23' (835).  Wick Broomall argued that this passage envisions the virgin birth on the basis of the terms 'new thing,' 'female,' and 'encompass' (enclose), and the proximity of the clause to the prophecy of the new covenant in 31:31-34 (17).  Another writer states:  'It is futile to make this Scripture relevant to anything other than the virgin-born Messiah:  to do so is to do violence to the biblical record' (Hank, 30).  Coffman contends that the 'incarnation' concept will have to suffice as the best view until something more definitive comes along (346).  This writer can only say that the passage may contain a reference to the virgin birth, but the arguments in support of that position are not absolutely compelling."  

2.   His actions were sufficient to cause Israel to decide to return to him.

VI.   THE REPLENISHED JUDAH (Jeremiah 31:23-26).

A.   After the return, Judah would be a "habitation of righteousness" and "a mountain of holiness."  This would reflect the purity of the nation (31:23).

B.  Judah would dwell in safety.  This would reflect Jehovah's protection of the nation (31:24).

C.   Judah's weary and sorrowful souls would be satiated.  This would reflect Jehovah's provisions for the nation (31:25,12,14).

1.  Matthew 5:6.

2.   John 4:14.

D.   Apparently, Jeremiah had been given this information in a dream (31:26).

1.   The blessing depicted for Judah made his sleep sweet.

2.   The concern of Jeremiah for Judah is here revealed.

VII.   THE RESTORED ISRAEL (Jeremiah 31:27-30).

A.   Israel would be sown by Jehovah with the seed of man and of beast.  This would indicate a complete restoration (31:27).

 
B.  Israel would be built and planted (31:28; 1:10; 18:7,8).

C.   Israel would accept responsibility for her sins (31:29,30).

1.   Her former attitude had been:  "We are suffering for what our fathers did" (31:29).

a.   Ezekiel 18:2.

b.   Lamentations 5:7.

c.   This became a proverb in Israel.

2.   Her new attitude would be:  "Every one shall die for his own iniquity" (31:30).

a.   Deuteronomy 24:16.

b.   Isaiah 3:11.

c.   Ezekiel 18:4,20.

VIII.   THE NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12).

A. The time of the new relationship: “The days come.”  Since the return from Babylon occurred under the Mosaic covenant, this points to the church age (31:31).

B. The new relationship would be a covenant relationship.  It would be a "new covenant" (31:31).

1.   God has always worked with man based on a covenant.

2.   This would mean there would be a new priesthood and sacrifice (Hebrews 7:12,27).

C.   The new relationship would be with a united Israel and Judah.  Since a new covenant was never given to the nation of Israel, this would reference "Spiritual Israel," the church (31:31).

D.   This new relationship would not be based on the Mosaic covenant (31:32).

1.   The Mosaic covenant was made in conjunction with the deliverance from Egypt.

 
a. Exodus 19:5; 24:6-8.

b.   Deuteronomy 5:2,3.

2.   Israel broke the Mosaic covenant (11:7,8; 3:14).  The word for "brake" is "parar" which means "to make void or bring to nothing."  They reduced the first covenant into a nothingness as far as they were concerned.  They negated everything found in the first covenant.

E.   The new relationship described (31:33,34).

1.   It would be based on Jehovah's law (31:33; Hebrews 10:16,17).

2.   It would appeal to the heart (31:33).

3.   It would establish a relationship with Jehovah (31:33).  This makes the same statement as verse 1 and shows that this chapter has the church age in view for the ultimate fulfillment of the things discussed.

4.   It would involve teaching, but teaching prior to one's entering the covenant (31:34).

a.   This was new as far as the Mosaic covenant related to national Israel was concerned.  Those "strangers" (Gentiles) who converted from idolatry and served God upon the Mosaic covenant were taught before they came into covenant relationship with Jehovah.

b.   This would imply both a knowledge of, and obedience to, Jehovah's law.  The word "know” is "yada."  This refers to a close, intimate, personal knowledge as opposed to some surface knowledge.

5.   It would involve complete remission of sins based on the "once for all" sacrifice of the Christ (31:34; Hebrews 9:26).

a.   "Forgive" is the Hebrew word "salach."  It carries the idea of pardon.  The primary idea is lifting up or off.

b.   "Iniquity" is the Hebrew word "avon."  It means perversity or depravity.  It is the heavy burden of disobedience to God's laws.

c.   One's obedience to the covenant would lift off the burden of disobedience.  This would cover guilt.

 
d.   "Remember" is the Hebrew word "zakar."  It means to recollect, to bring to mind, to keep or to preserve.  God will not bring up forgiven sins ever again.

IX.   THE RELIABILITY OF JEHOVAH'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

A.   This “passage is appealed to by millennialists as a proof-text for the perpetual preservation of national Israel (Dyer, 1172), when the fact of the matter is, the prophecy deals with the Lord’s abiding care for his new ‘nation,’ spiritual ‘Israel ’ –the church of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:9; Gal. 6:16).” 

B.   Jehovah's reliability was established by the creation (31:35,36).

1.   Genesis 1:14-18.

2.   Deuteronomy 4:19.

3.   Psalms 19:1-6; 136:7-9.

C.   Jehovah's reliability is compared to the enormity of the creation (31:37; Romans 11:2-5,26,27).

X.   THE REBUILT NATION (Jeremiah 31:38-40).

A.   The time of the rebuilding: "The days come."  This points to the church age (31:38).

B.   The imagery is taken from the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  All of the imagery points to the holiness of the rebuilt nation.  This was only accomplished in the church (31:38-40; 30:18).

 JEREMIAH CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

I.   JEREMIAH'S CONDITION (Jeremiah 32:1-5).

A.   The time: 10th year of Zedekiah (32:1; 587 B.C.).  This was also the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar (39:1,2; 2 Kings 25:1,2).

B.   The conditions (32:2-5).

1.   Jerusalem was under siege (32:2).  "The attack had begun in mid-January of 588 B.C., and was culminated July 18, 586 B.C. (Dyer, 1173).” 

2.   Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the guard (32:2-5; 37:21).

 
a.   Zedekiah had shut him up (32:3).

b.   Zedekiah was disturbed at the prophecy of Jeremiah (32:3-5; 26:8,9).

1)   Zedekiah quoted the prophecy accurately (21:3-7; 34:2,3).

2)  The time is close for its fulfillment.

a)   Jerusalem would fall (32:3; 21:4).

b)   Zedekiah would be carried to Babylon and die there (32:4,5; 37:17; 38:18,23; 2 Kings 25:4-7).

II.   JEREMIAH'S CONTRACT (Jeremiah 32:6-15).

A.   The word of Jehovah tells Jeremiah what will come (32:6,7).

1.   His cousin, Hanamel, will offer him the right of redemption on a field.

2.   This references the provisions of the law (Leviticus 25:25; Ruth 4:3,4).

B.   The word of Jehovah was confirmed (32:8-15).

1.   Hanamel came as Jehovah had said (32:8,9).

2.  Jeremiah bought the field for 17 shekels of silver.  The legal process for buying land is detailed in these verses.  It is interesting that Jeremiah was allowed to conduct this transaction even though he was in prison (32:10-12).

3.   Jeremiah preserved the deeds (32:13,14).  "…when the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered (1947), these important manuscripts were in clay jars." 

4.   The word of God was confirmed (32:15).  This pointed to the return from Babylon (30:18; 31:5).

III.   JEREMIAH'S PRAYER (Jeremiah 32:16-25).

A.   He acknowledged the omnipotence of Jehovah (32:17).

B.   He acknowledged the goodness and severity of Jehovah (32:18).

 
C.   He acknowledged the justice of Jehovah (32:19; 17:10; 21:14).

1.   Psalm 62:12.

2.   Matthew 16:27.

3.   John 5:29.

D.   He acknowledged Jehovah's working among the Jews and Gentiles (32:20).

E.   He acknowledged the covenant of Jehovah (32:21,22).

F.   He acknowledged the punishment of Jehovah (32:23-25).

1.   Israel had been disobedient all along (32:23).

2.   Israel had brought punishment upon themselves (32:23-25).

a.   Babylon was upon them (32:24).

1)   The mounds were being built (6:6).

2)   The city will be taken (20:5; 21:4-7).

3)   The triad of doom had come (29:17,18).

b.   Jehovah's word was fulfilled (32:24,25).

1)   Deuteronomy 4:26.

2)   Joshua 23:15,16.

3)   Zechariah 1:6.

IV.   JEHOVAH'S RESPONSE (Jeremiah 32:26-35).

A.   Nothing is too hard for Jehovah.  He affirms Jeremiah's contention (v. 17). From this statement of Jehovah's power will come the conclusion concerning Jerusalem (32:26,27).

B.   Jehovah's purpose to deliver Judah to Babylon will be fulfilled (32:28-35).

1.   The results (32:28,29).

a. The city will be taken by the Babylonians (32:28; 19:7-12).

b.   The city will be destroyed by the Babylonians (32:29; 21:10).

2.   The reasons (32:29-35).

a.   They provoked Jehovah to anger (32:29-32).

1)   Idolatry (32:29; 19:13).

2)   Wicked lifestyles (32:30; 2:7; 3:25; 7:22-26; 8:19; 11:17; 22:21; 25:7; Deuteronomy 9:7-12).

3)  Corrupt existence (32:31,32).  Every aspect of leadership and followship had been corrupt.

b.   They turned to Jehovah the back and not the face (32:33; 2:27). 

1)   They did this by refusing to abide by His teaching through the prophets (25:3; 26:5; 35:15; 2 Chronicles 36:15,16).

2) Jeremiah had stressed Jehovah's attempts through the prophets to turn Judah's course (7:13; 11:7; 25:3,4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14,15; 44:4).

c. They put their idols in the temple (32:34; 7:30,31; 2 Kings 21:4-7).
 

d.   They built the high places of Baal and offered child-sacrifices to Molech (32:35; 7:31; 19:5).

1)   2 Chronicles 28:2,3; 33:6.

2)  Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5.

3)   1 Kings 11:7.

4)   2 Kings 23:10.

5)   Acts 7:43.

V.   JUDAH'S RETURN (Jeremiah 32:36-44).

A.   "Millennialists assert that this chapter will find its fulfillment when God restores the Jews from their world-wide distribution in the time of Christ's 1,000-year reign from Jerusalem." 

 
B.   The fulfillment of these promises begins with the return from Babylon, but is only completely realized in the church.

C.   Judah's condition before the return.  Notice the triad of doom accomplished its purpose (32:36).

D.   Judah's condition after the return (32:37-44).

1.   They will be gathered from captivity and dwell in safety (32:37; 16:14,15; 23:3,8).

a.   Deuteronomy 30:3.

b.   Isaiah 11:11-16.

c.   Ezekiel 11:17.

d.   Hosea 1:11.

e.   Amos 9:14,15.

2.   Fellowship with Jehovah will be restored (32:38; 30:22; Ezekiel 11:19,20).

3.   Respect for Jehovah will characterize them (32:39; 31:33).

a.   John 17:21.

b.   Acts 4:32.

4.   An everlasting covenant will be made with them.  This would be the new covenant of 31:31-34 (32:40).

5.   They will enjoy "good" from Jehovah (32:41-44).  The "good" will be in abundance.  This is what Jeremiah's buying the field represented (32:15,25).

 JEREMIAH CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

I.   THE RESTORATION OF JUDAH (Jeremiah 33:1-13).

A.   Jeremiah's place: The court of the guard (33:1; 32:2,3,8; 37:21; 38:28).

 
B.   Jehovah's power: He does, forms and establishes.  Jehovah is His name (33:2).

1.   "Some versions (RSV,  NIV), following the LXX, add 'the earth,' suggesting that the divine activity was with reference to the original creation of the earth (2)."  

2.   It may be, however, that he is referring to his work in the punishment and return of Judah.

C.   Jehovah's promise: If Jeremiah will call upon God, He will answer and show him great things to come which he could not otherwise know.  The promises for the future would serve as encouragement to Jeremiah (33:3).

D.   Jerusalem's position (33:4,5).

1.   The houses had been torn down in order to fortify the wall (33:4).

2.   Many had or would be slain in the siege (33:5; 21:4-7; 32:5).

3.   Jehovah is the cause of this punishment on Jerusalem (Judah; 33:5).

a.   He slew in His anger and wrath.

b.   Their wickedness had hid His face from them to save (21:10).

E.   Jerusalem's prospect: This fulfillment would begin with the return from Babylon and be fully realized in the church age (33:6-9; Notice the seven-fold "I will" in verses 6-8). 

1.   Jehovah would cure them (33:6; 30:17).

2.   Jehovah would reveal to them abundance of peace and truth (33:6).

3.   Jehovah would bring them back from captivity and build them.  They would again be one nation (33:7; 30:18; 31:4,38).

4.   Jehovah would cleanse them from sin and pardon them from iniquity. This implies repentance on their part.  Notice the three-fold description of their actions (33:8; Hebrews 9:11-14):

a.   Iniquity.

b.   Sin.

c.   Transgression.

 
5.   Jehovah would influence the nations through His working with Israel (33:9; 4:2; 16:19).

a.   The city would be for a name of joy and praise and glory to Jehovah.

b.   Jehovah would do good for those who return (24:6; 32:42).

c.   Reverence for Jehovah would be produced as the nations observed His working in behalf of His people (Nehemiah 6:16).

F.   The return of the voices (33:10,11).

1.   The current condition of Judah: Captivity has devastated it (33:10).

2.   The future condition of Judah: The voices of the past will return, and this will signal that the captivity accomplished its purpose (33:11).

a.   The voice of joy.

b.   The voice of gladness.

c.   The voice of the bridegroom.

d.   The voice of the bride.

e.   The voice of them that give thanks to Jehovah and bring sacrifices of thanksgiving to the temple (17:26).

1)   Leviticus 7:12,13.

2)   Hebrews 13:15.

G.   The return of the flocks (33:12,13).  "The Hebrew Targum even gives these passages a messianic thrust." 

1.   The current condition of Judah: Waste and desolate (33:12).

2.   The future condition of Judah: A place of pasture (33:13; Luke 15:4).

II.   THE RIGHTEOUS BRANCH (Jeremiah 33:14-26).

A.   The time to come (33:14-16).  

1.   "The days come…In those days."

 
2.   "Laetsch has argued that this section, though similar to 23:5ff, has significant differences, which demonstrate that there is a separate theological thrust to this section.  In the former, the emphasis is upon Christ; in the latter, the church comes more fully into view (268ff)."  

B.   The good performed: Jehovah will bring all of this to pass (33:14).

C.   The coming of the Branch (33:15-26).

1.   He will be a Branch of righteousness (33:15; 23:5,6; 30:9).

a.   Isaiah 4:2; 11:1-5.

b.   Zechariah 3:8; 6:12,13.

2.   He will come through David's line (33:15).

3.   He will execute justice and righteousness (33:15).

4.   He will bring safety to the people (33:16).

5.   He will bring a new name to the people:  "Jehovah our righteousness" (33:16; 23:6).

a.   1 Corinthians 1:30.

b.   2 Corinthians 5:21.

c.   Philippians 3:9.

6.   He will provide for an everlasting king and priest before Jehovah.  This was accomplished in the ascension (33:17,18; 2 Samuel 7:16; Hebrews 9:23-28).

7.   The certainty of the covenant with David (33:19-26).

a.   It is as certain as the working of day and night (33:19-22; 31:35-37).

1)   The covenant to provide an everlasting king and priest cannot be broken (33:19-21; 2 Chronicles 7:18; 21:7).

2)   The seed promise will fulfill this (33:22; Genesis 15:5; 22:17).

 
b.   The misunderstanding of the people: The people were claiming that Jehovah had cast off His people because He allowed them to be punished in the captivities of Assyria and Babylon (33:23,24).

c.   The reaffirmation of the covenant (33:25,26).

1)   Jehovah's covenant of creation is an illustration of His faithfulness in all other covenants (33:25,20; 31:35,36).

2)   Jehovah will keep His covenant with David, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (33:26; 31:37).

3)   Jehovah will have mercy on His people (33:26; 31:20; Hosea 2:23).

CONCLUSION

A.   These chapters should help us understand Jehovah’s purpose concerning the return from Babylon and the Church Age.

B.   Let us study carefully and make the proper application of the truths presented.

ENDNOTES

1 Wayne Jackson, Jeremiah & Lamentations, (Courier Publications, Stockton, CA, 1997), p. 76.

2 Jackson, p. 76.

3 Jackson, p. 77.

4 Jackson, p. 78.

5 Jackson, p. 82.

6 Jackson, p. 83.

7 Jackson, p. 84.

8 Jackson, p. 87.

9 Jackson, p. 89.

10  Jackson, p. 91.

11 Jackson, p. 92.  

12 Jackson, p. 93.

13 Jackson, p. 94.

   James Rogers