Jeremiah 30:12-22

12 This is what the Lord said: "You people have a wound that cannot be cured; your injury will not heal.

13 There is no one to argue your case and no cure for your sores. So you will not be healed.

14 All those nations who were your friends have forgotten you. They don't care about you. I have hurt you as an enemy would. I punished you very hard, because your guilt was so great and your sins were so many.

15 Why are you crying out about your injury? There is no cure for your pain. I did these things to you because of your great guilt, because of your many sins.

16 But all those nations that destroyed you will now be destroyed. All your enemies will become captives in other lands. Those who stole from you will have their own things stolen. Those who took things from you in war will have their own things taken.

17 I will bring back your health and heal your injuries," says the Lord, "because other people forced you away. They said about you, 'No one cares about Jerusalem!'"

18 This is what the Lord said: "I will soon make the tents of Jacob's people as they used to be, and I will have pity on Israel's houses. The city will be rebuilt on its hill of ruins, and the king's palace will stand in its proper place.

19 People in those places will sing songs of praise. There will be the sound of laughter. I will give them many children so their number will not be small. I will bring honor to them so no one will look down on them.

20 Their descendants will be as they were in the old days. I will set them up as a strong people before me, and I will punish the nations who have hurt them.

21 One of their own people will lead them; their ruler will come from among them. He will come near to me when I invite him. Who would dare to come to me uninvited?" says the Lord.

22 "So you will be my people, and I will be your God."

Jeremiah 30:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 30

This chapter contains a prophecy of the call and conversion of the Jews in the latter day; which being a matter of moment and importance, and that it might continue, and be read hereafter, it is ordered to be written in a book, Jer 30:1,2; the thing itself is expressed by a return from captivity to their own land, Jer 30:3; but previous to this there would be most dreadful times, as never were the like, Jer 30:4-7; yet there would be a deliverance from them, and from the yoke of the oppressor; when the Jews should serve the Lord God, and the true Messiah, Jer 30:8,9; of which deliverance and salvation they are assured in the strongest terms, though all other nations should be made an end of, among whom they were, Jer 30:10,11; and though their ease might seem to be desperate, Jer 30:12-17; nevertheless they should be brought into a very comfortable and happy estate; their city rebuilt; their offspring increased; and religious worship established; and, above all, the Messiah should be made known to them as their King and Priest, and they appear to be the Lord's covenant people, Jer 30:18-22; and the chapter is concluded with threatening utter destruction to the wicked, Jer 30:23,24.