Jeremiah 33:20-26

20 "Thus says the LORD, 'If you can 1break My covenant for the day and My covenant for the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time,
21 then 2My covenant may also be broken with David My servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levitical priests, My ministers.
22 'As the 3host of heaven cannot be counted and the 4sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will 5multiply the descendants of David My servant and the 6Levites who minister to Me.' "
23 And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
24 "Have you not observed what this people have spoken, saying, 'The 7two families which the LORD chose, He has 8rejected them'? Thus they 9despise My people, no longer are they as a nation in their sight.
25 "Thus says the LORD, 'If My 10covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have 11not established,
26 then I would 12reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, not taking from his descendants 13rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I will 14restore their fortunes and will have 15mercy on them.' "

Jeremiah 33:20-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 33

This chapter is a continuation of prophecies of spiritual blessings on the church of Christ in Gospel times, of which the return of the Jews from captivity, and the benefits following on that, were types. The place where Jeremiah had this prophecy communicated to him, the prison, Jer 33:1; the author of it, Jehovah, who describes himself, Jer 33:2; encourages the prophet to pray unto him, promising an answer, and a discovery of great and hidden things, Jer 33:3; not so much concerning the destruction of the city, and the rebuilding it, Jer 33:4,5; as spiritual blessings to the church, signified by it; such as a healthful state and condition through Christ, the sun of righteousness, arising with healing in his wings, and a revelation of abundance of peace and truth by him, Jer 33:6; a release of captives, and a rebuilding of the church, Jer 33:7; free and full forgiveness of all sins, Jer 33:8; the church a praise in the whole earth; much joy in it, and glory to God by it, Jer 33:9-11; spiritual pastors or shepherds feeding their flocks, and taking very diligent care of them, Jer 33:12,13; a promise of the Messiah as a righteous Branch; as the Saviour and safeguard of his people; and as the Lord their righteousness, Jer 33:14-16; an assurance of the continuance of the kingly and priestly offices in him, whereby the covenant of God with David and the Levites would be for ever secured, Jer 33:17-22; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the perseverance of the saints and people of God; which is represented as certain as the covenant with day and night, and as the ordinances of heaven and earth, in opposition to a suggestion to the contrary, Jer 33:23-26.

Cross References 15

  • 1. Psalms 89:37; Psalms 104:19-23; Isaiah 54:9, 10; Jeremiah 31:35-37; Jeremiah 33:25
  • 2. 2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Chronicles 7:18; 2 Chronicles 21:7
  • 3. Genesis 15:5; Jeremiah 31:37
  • 4. Genesis 22:17
  • 5. Ezekiel 37:24-27
  • 6. Isaiah 66:21; Jeremiah 33:18
  • 7. Isaiah 7:17; Isaiah 11:13; Jer 3:7, 8, 10, 18; Jeremiah 33:26; Ezekiel 37:22
  • 8. Jeremiah 30:17
  • 9. Nehemiah 4:2-4; Esth 3:6, 8, 9; Psalms 44:13, 14; Psalms 83:4
  • 10. Genesis 8:22; Jeremiah 31:35, 36; Jeremiah 33:20
  • 11. Psalms 74:16, 17
  • 12. Jeremiah 31:37
  • 13. Genesis 49:10
  • 14. Jeremiah 33:7
  • 15. Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 54:8; Jeremiah 31:20; Ezekiel 39:25; Hosea 1:7; Hosea 2:23

Footnotes 8

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