SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 30
RESTORATION OF ISRAEL (vs. 1-24)
GOD’S PROMISES TO ISRAEL:
- I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them. (v. 8)
- I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. (v. 10)
- I am with you and will save you. I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice. I will not let you go entirely unpunished. (v. 11)
- All who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil. (v. 16)
- I will restore you to health and heal your wounds. (v. 17)
- I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. (v. 18)
- I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. (v. 19)
- Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; (v. 20a)
- I will punish all who oppress them. (v. 20b)
- I will bring your leader near and he will come close to me. (v. 21)
- You will be my people, and I will be your God. (v. 22)
THOUGHTS:
Judah had sinned so God had to correct them in love. He would not permit their enemies to take advantage of them. God is faithful to His people even though they are not faithful to him. In the same manner, God send trials like a bitter medicine as a way to heal our sinful heart. In times of suffering, live for the joys of “afterward”.