Study notes

Jeremiah 30

Introducing JeremiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

30:1–24

This series of messages is mostly positive, with only two verses having a judgmental tone (Jeremiah 30:23–24). They describe the positive outcomes of Jerusalem's destruction and the Exile.

People often call these four chapters "The Book of Consolation," a highlight in Old Testament revelation. Unlike the many judgment messages Jeremiah gave his people, these messages are full of hope and promise a wonderful future restoration.

30:1–33:26 Section

The messages of hope in these chapters are about God blessing his people. That would happen after the time of judgement was over. Jacob’s family line would be brought back to their land. They would live faithful to God as his people. He would be the only God they worshipped and served. This would allow them to enjoy the covenant blessings.

God would give them peace, rest, safety and security. God would heal them and give them health and success. He would freely share with them his tender and faithful love. Their king would be the Branch from David’s family line. This king would do what was fair and right. The people would worship God in the ways that he had taught them. The priests and Levites would make sure of this.

God had described how his people’s sin was carved on the tablet of their hearts. He had said this in a judgement message recorded in Jeremiah 17:1. In these messages of hope he said something else would be written on their hearts. God promised to write his law on their hearts. This was how God would make a new covenant with his people. The law of the Mount Sinai covenant had been written on stone tablets.

Having God’s law written on their hearts was a way of describing something. It meant that God’s people would truly know who God is. Knowing God would make them able to understand clearly what sin and evil were. Then they would make the choice to say no to evil and yes to God. They would worship, serve and obey him. This is what God had always wanted for human beings.

Sin and evil would remain a problem for God’s people. But they would trust God to take care of this problem. God would take care of it by forgiving their sins and their evil ways. Unlike the judgement messages, these messages of hope were pleasant for Jeremiah. He bought a piece of land as a sign. It was a sign that God’s people would buy and sell land again in the future. It was a sign that God’s promises in the messages of hope would come true.

Jews recognised that some of the promises came true after the exile. They came to understand that some of the promises would come true in the future. That would happen when the messiah came. New Testament writers showed that Jesus put the new covenant into effect. Jesus made it possible for people to be freed from the power of sin and evil.

30:3

The new messages build on the theme of Jeremiah 29:10–14 (see 3:18; 16:15; 24:6). The fall of Jerusalem and the Exile did not end the Lord's relationship with Israel. The Lord planned a bright future for the remaining people. Descendants of those from the northern kingdom of Israel, exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BC, would return. Similarly, descendants of Judah's people, exiled to Babylon in 597 and 586 BC, would come back to the Promised Land.
I will restore them to the land: The first major return from exile happened in 538 BC (Ezra 1:1–6:22), the second in 458 BC (Ezra 7:1–10:44), and the third in 445 BC (Nehemiah 1–13).

30:7

The time of trouble was when Babylon captured and destroyed Judah in 586 BC.

30:8

The exiles started returning in 538 BC, but foreigners ruled Israel for most of its history from the Exile to the Roman period. However, Israel did enjoy some freedom during this time.

30:9

After the Exile, the Israelites stopped worshiping idols and truly served the Lord their God.
The Lord would provide a king, a descendant of David, who would be called the Messiah (Isaiah 55:3–4; Ezekiel 34:23; 37:24; Hosea 3:5; Luke 1:69; Acts 2:30; 13:22–23).

30:10

The gathering of exiles would include those in Babylon and those scattered in faraway lands. The Lord promised gifts of peace and quiet without frightening enemies.

30:11

The Lord could make these promises because he was with his people and had the power to save them. He promised to destroy cruel nations and protect his people. However, the Lord would correct his people if they sinned.

30:12–14

The exiles experienced an injury (a grievous wound) due to their many sins.
your lovers: The Lord used these terms for nations, especially Egypt, that had been Judah’s trusted friends (see Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 16:15–63).

30:15

The Israelites could not protest their punishment. They deserved their exile, and God's justice required their punishment.

30:16

all who devour you will be devoured: See Jeremiah 25:11–12.

30:17

I will...heal your wounds: The people will return from exile, and their sins will be forgiven.

30:18

Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in 445 BC (Nehemiah 12:22–43).

30:19–21

The rebuilt Jerusalem would be the heart of a strong and thriving nation. Its increasing population would feel joy and sing songs of thanks. The city would earn respect from its neighbors, and its streets would be full of children who would grow up and succeed. The nation would have its own leader again.