Jeremias 31:34

34 From the cry of Esebon even to Aetam their cities uttered their voice, from Zogor to Oronaim, and their tidings a heifer of three years old, for the water also of Nebrin shall be dried up.

Jeremias 31:34 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and
every man his brother
Which is not to be understood of the outward ministry of the word; in heaven indeed there will be no need of it, nor in the New Jerusalem state; but in every period of time before it. In the first times of the Gospel, persons were appointed and qualified by Christ to be pastors and teachers; and in the latter day men shall run to and fro, and increase knowledge; besides, the saints in the present state stand in need of teaching; since they know but in part, and there is room for a growth in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ: nor does this contradict brotherly teaching, or the private instructions of saints in religious conversation and Christian conference, which are very useful; but is rather opposed to pretended revelations of private men; or to the magisterial dictates of persons in public office; the word of God being the only rule of instruction in righteousness: or this may be not absolutely, but comparatively said; setting forth the abundance of knowledge under the Gospel dispensation, that, in comparison of former times, there would be no need of the means of further knowledge: saying, know the Lord:
not naturally, or as by the light of nature; but spiritually; nor in a general way, as the God of nature and providence, as a Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor; but in a special manner, as the God of grace, as the God and Father of Christ, and his people in him; not legally, but evangelically; not speculatively, but practically, and in a saving way and manner: this kind of knowledge now under the Gospel dispensation is greater than under the former; as the knowledge of God in his persons, in his perfections, in his titles and characters, and in his Son; and as to the manner of it, clearly, with open face as in a glass; and as to the persons to whom it is communicated, not to Judah only, but to men of all nations; all which is owing to a greater effusion of the spirit, as it follows: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest
of them, saith the Lord:
not all mankind; but all the house of Israel, all the family of God, all the children of God being taught by him; not all alike, but all with the same kind of knowledge. This is frequently applied to the times of the Messiah by the Jews ^F14: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no
more;
there was forgiveness of sin under the former covenant, but the blood of Christ was not then actually shed for it; it was held forth under types; and there was a remembrance of sin made every year; and saints had not such a clear and comfortable sight of pardon in common as now; and it was known and applied but to a few. This is the staple blessing of the covenant, and the evidence of all the rest.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Zohar in Lev. fol. 10. 1. & 24. 3. and on Numb. fol. 54. 4. Vid. Chizuk Emunah, p. 51.

Jeremias 31:34 In-Context

32 O vine of Aserema, as with the weeping of Jazer: thy branches are gone over the sea, they reached the cities of Jazer: destruction has come upon thy fruits, upon thy grape-gatherers.

33 Joy and gladness have been utterly swept off the land of Moab: and there was wine in thy presses, in the morning they trod it not, neither in the evening did they raise the cry of joy.

34 From the cry of Esebon even to Aetam their cities uttered their voice, from Zogor to Oronaim, and their tidings a heifer of three years old, for the water also of Nebrin shall be dried up.

35 And I will destroy Moab, saith the Lord, as he comes up to the altar, and burns incense to his gods.

36 Therefore the heart of Moab shall sound as pipes, my heart shall sound as a pipe for the shorn men; forasmuch as what man has gained has perished from him.