Jeremiah 30-33: The Book of Consolation
Introduction
1. This section serves as a theological high point in
Jeremiah’s book, a ray of hope in the midst of darkness.
2. Though God promised judgment to His people, His
chastening would bear joyful fruit in the coming age.
I.
The Book of Consolation
A.
Its Purpose
1.
Jeremiah’s message was largely negative; he announced God’s judgment on
Judah’s sin.
a)
There wasn’t great variety in his preaching because there wasn’t much
good to be said.
b)
Jeremiah preached to the needs of the day, and impenitent sinners don’t
need pep-talks!
2.
But Jeremiah was commissioned “to build and to plant” as well as to tear
down. 1:10
a)
This section is referred to as the Book of Consolation; it offers
hope in the face of disaster.
b)
Here Jeremiah fulfills his calling “to build and to plant” in his
preaching. 31:4, 28
B.
Its Setting
1.
The latter two chapters in this section were written while Jeremiah was
in prison. (32:2; 33:1)
a)
King Zedekiah had imprisoned the prophet for preaching against Judah and
the king. 32:1-5
b)
This was in the tenth year of Zedekiah’s reign, while Babylon had
Jerusalem besieged.
c)
The city would fall to the Babylonians the next year, perhaps just a few
months later.
2.
The first two chapters were revealed to Jeremiah – at least in part – in
a dream. 31:26
3.
These four chapters may have all been composed in prison during
Jerusalem’s siege.
C.
Its Preservation
1.
The section begins with God’s instruction to write these prophecies in a
book. 30:1-3
a)
Jeremiah was a literary prophet who wrote the prophecies God gave to him.
b)
We see references to his writing in other passages within the book.
36:2, 28
c)
The writings of Jeremiah were accepted as scripture and circulated soon
after. Da. 9:1-2
2.
Why did God explicitly command these words to be written down?
a)
It appears that these prophecies were never preached; the written page
was their only venue.
b)
Apparently these prophecies needed to be preserved for later study and
understanding.
3.
These prophecies are thoroughly Messianic and New Covenant in content and
application.
a)
Consequently, these words have been preserved for our benefit, not just
theirs.
b)
God wanted these words written so that they could be fully understood…later.
30:1-3, 24
D.
Its Composition
1.
Chapters 30-31 introduce The Restoration Hope of Israel and Judah
a)
These chapters are organized by, “Behold the days are coming,” and “Thus
says YHWH.”
b)
Ch30 alternates pictures of judgment and hope; Ch31 gives further details
of that hope.
2.
Chapter 32 tells how Jeremiah Buys a Field
a)
The prophet purchases property while in prison, land that is behind enemy
lines!
b)
Jeremiah then prays for understanding, and Jehovah assures the certainty
of His promise
3.
Chapter 33 contains an Elaboration on the Restoration Hope
a)
God will hurt His people but then He will heal them; joy, sacrifice and
flocks will return.
b)
A Branch of Righteousness will rule; the promise is sure as God’s
covenant with day/night.
II.
The Hope of Restoration
A.
National Restoration
1.
Many of the prophets spoke of captives returning to the land. (Am.
9:14-15; Joel 3:1; Eze. 39:25)
a)
These prophecies agreed with God’s promise through Moses. De. 30:1-3
b)
Jeremiah wrote frequently of this hope of restoration. (16:5; 23:8;
27:22; 29:14)
2.
This hope was realized, in part, during the days of
Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
a)
Zerubbabel led a return in 538 B.C. and
eventually rebuilt the Temple. (Ezr. 3:8; 6:14-15)
b)
Ezra led a return in 458 B.C. and worked in rebuilding the people
spiritually. (Ezr. 7:7-10)
c)
Nehemiah returned in 444 B.C. and led in rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. (Ne.
2:12-18)
3.
These returns fulfilled the national hope of restoration, but these
prophecies promised more.
B.
Spiritual Restoration
1.
God promised more than a return to Palestine; He anticipated a genuine,
spiritual revival.
2.
Several features help us identify the time and actual fulfillment of
these prophecies.
a)
The hope of restoration would be fulfilled when David’s heir sat on the
throne. 30:8-9
(1)
This is clearly Messianic in nature; the Branch of Righteousness is
Christ. 33:14-18
(2)
The era would be characterized by righteousness, justice, salvation, and
worship.
b)
The hope of restoration was preceded by the weeping of bereaved mothers.
31:15-17
(1)
The NT applies this passage to the slaughter of infants by Herod. Mt.
2:16-18
(2)
Their “work” would be rewarded; Messiah freed captives from the enemy’s
land.
c)
The hope of restoration included the blessing of a new and greater
covenant. 31:31-34
(1)
This new covenant refers to the New Testament delivered by Christ. He.
8:6-13
(2)
This hope was not ultimately fulfilled until Jesus died on the cross.
Co. 2:13-14
III.
The Characteristics of the Restored
A.
They repent from godly remorse (31:18-19)
1.
True repentance originates with genuine shame for our wrongs. Ro.
6:20-21; 2Co. 7:10
2.
They do not glory in their former excesses, nor diminish their guilt;
they take responsibility.
B.
They live in a land of justice and holiness (31:23)
1.
The land that is home to justice and holiness is not national; it is
spiritual. He. 11:16; Php. 3:20
2.
The heavenly Jerusalem is valued for spiritual quality, not physical
address. Mic. 4:1-2;
Zec. 8:3
C.
They serve God under a new covenant (31:31-32)
1.
For a new covenant to be established, the old covenant must be finished.
He. 8:13; Co. 2:16-17
2.
The new covenant in Christ is superior in every way to the former
covenant. He. 8:6-7; 2Co. 3:9
D.
They have God’s law written on their hearts (31:33)
1.
God’s law is to consecrate our heart and life. Mt. 22:36-40; 1Pe.
3:15; Joel 2:12-13
2.
Holiness is not merely an outer expression of activity, but also an inner
purity. Ps. 19:14
E.
They all know the LORD (31:34)
1.
No longer is one physically born into the covenant family; we are born
spiritually. Jn. 1:12-13
2.
Covenant membership presupposes consciousness of God and service to Him.
Ro. 2:28-29
F.
They have one heart (internal) and one way (external) to God (32:38-39)
1.
The restored are united in following God’s ways both in heart and in
hands. 1Co. 1:10; Eph. 4:3
2.
They do not turn aside from God’s ways because those ways are for their
own good. Jn. 10:10
G.
They fear God and serve Him faithfully (32:40)
1.
Fearing God is an essential part of serving Him under the new covenant.
2Co. 7:1; 1Pe. 1:15-19
2.
Those who depart from God’s truth do not fear the LORD as they should.
Jude 8-10
H.
They are a testimony to God’s goodness (33:6-9)
1.
God’s salvation testifies to His wisdom, power, justice, and grace.
Eph. 3:8-12
2.
The gospel’s ability to change the lives of the restored speaks
powerfully of God. Mt. 5:16
I.
They serve a King who reigns in righteousness (33:14-17)
1.
David’s Heir rules as King over the restored Jerusalem, reigning in
righteousness. Co. 1:13-18
2.
As King, Christ executes justice and righteousness and brings salvation
to Israel. 2Co. 5:10
J.
They minister as priests to the LORD (33:18)
1.
The restored kingdom is also characterized by uninterrupted worship.
Re. 4:8-11
2.
Though the Levitical priesthood has ended,
all of God’s people serve as priests. 1Pe. 2:4-5
Conclusion
1. God’s word offered hope of restoration for Israel, but
that hope transcended mere national resurrection.
2. Today we can share in the fulfillment of that hope by
being restored to Christ from captivity to sin.
3. Once restored, we can share in the blessings of the
glorious kingdom over which Christ reigns. He. 12:18-29