Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Jeremiah Ch.31 / 52 Ch.s
JER:31
* The restoration of Israel. (1-9) Promises of guidance and
happiness; Rachel lamenting. (10-17) Ephraim laments his errors.
(18-20) The promised Saviour. (21-26) God's care over the
church. (27-34) Peace and prosperity in gospel time. (35-40)
#1-9 God assures his people that he will again take them into
covenant relation to himself. When brought very low, and
difficulties appear, it is good to remember that it has been so
with the church formerly. But it is hard under present frowns to
take comfort from former smiles; yet it is the happiness of
those who, through grace, are interested in the love of God,
that it is an everlasting love, from everlasting in the
counsels, to everlasting in the continuance. Those whom God
loves with this love, he will draw to himself, by the influences
of his Spirit upon their souls. When praising God for what he
has done, we must call upon him for the favours his church needs
and expects. When the Lord calls, we must not plead that we
cannot come; for he that calls us, will help us, will strengthen
us. The goodness of God shall lead them to repentance. And they
shall weep for sin with more bitterness, and more tenderness,
when delivered out of their captivity, than when groaning under
it. If we take God for our Father, and join the church of the
first-born, we shall want nothing that is good for us. These
predictions doubtless refer also to a future gathering of the
Israelites from all quarters of the globe. And they figuratively
describe the conversion of sinners to Christ, and the plain and
safe way in which they are led.
#10-17 He that scattered Israel, knows where to find them. It is
comfortable to observe the goodness of the Lord in the gifts of
providence. But our souls are never valuable as gardens, unless
watered with the dews of God's Spirit and grace. A precious
promise follows, which will not have full accomplishment except
in the heavenly Zion. Let them be satisfied of God's
loving-kindness, and they will be satisfied with it, and desire
no more to make them happy. Rachel is represented as rising from
her grave, and refusing to be comforted, supposing her offspring
rooted out. The murder of the children at Bethlehem, by Herod,
#Mt 2:16-18|, in some degree fulfilled this prediction, but
could not be its full meaning. If we have hope in the end,
concerning an eternal inheritance, for ourselves and those
belonging to us, all temporal afflictions may be borne, and will
be for our good.
#18-20 Ephraim (the ten tribes) is weeping for sin. He is angry
at himself for his sin, and folly, and frowardness. He finds he
cannot, by his own power, keep himself close with God, much less
bring himself back when he is revolted. Therefore he prays, Turn
thou me, and I shall be turned. His will was bowed to the will
of God. When the teaching of God's Spirit went with the
corrections of his providence, then the work was done. This is
our comfort in affliction, that the Lord thinks upon us. God has
mercy in store, rich mercy, sure mercy, suitable mercy, for all
who seek him in sincerity.
#21-26 The way from the bondage of sin to the liberty of God's
children, is a high-way. It is plain, it is safe; yet none are
likely to walk in it, unless they set their hearts towards it.
They are encouraged by the promise of a new, unheard-of,
extraordinary thing; a creation, a work of Almighty power; the
human nature of Christ, formed and prepared by the power of the
Holy Ghost: and this is here mentioned as an encouragement to
the Jews to return to their own land. And a comfortable prospect
is given them of a happy settlement there. Godliness and honesty
God has joined: let no man think to put them asunder, or to make
the one atone for the want of the other. In the love and favour
of God the weary soul shall find rest, and the sorrowful shall
find joy. And what can we see with more satisfaction than the
good of Jerusalem, and peace upon Israel?
#27-34 The people of God shall become numerous and prosperous.
In #Heb 8:8,9|, this place is quoted as the sum of the covenant
of grace made with believers in Jesus Christ. Not, I will give
them a new law; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to
fulfil it; but the law shall be written in their hearts by the
finger of the Spirit, as formerly written in the tables of
stone. The Lord will, by his grace, make his people willing
people in the day of his power. All shall know the Lord; all
shall be welcome to the knowledge of God, and shall have the
means of that knowledge. There shall be an outpouring of the
Holy Spirit, at the time the gospel is published. No man shall
finally perish, but for his own sins; none, who is willing to
accept of Christ's salvation.
#35-40 As surely as the heavenly bodies will continue their
settled course, according to the will of their Creator, to the
end of time, and as the raging sea obeys him, so surely will the
Jews be continued a separate people. Words can scarcely set
forth more strongly the restoration of Israel. The rebuilding of
Jerusalem, and its enlargement and establishment, shall be an
earnest of the great things God will do for the gospel church.
The personal happiness of every true believer, as well as the
future restoration of Israel, is secured by promise, covenant,
and oath. This Divine love passes knowledge; and to those who
take hold upon it, every present mercy is an earnest of
salvation.