Jeremías 31:18-28

18 Escuchando, oí a Efraín que se lamentaba: Me azotaste, y fui castigado como novillo indómito; conviérteme y seré convertido; porque tú eres el SEÑOR mi Dios

19 Porque después que me convertí, tuve arrepentimiento, y después que conocí, herí el muslo; me avergoncé, y me confundí, porque llevé la afrenta de mi juventud

20 ¿Por ventura es Efraín hijo precioso para mí? ¿Por ventura es para mi niño delicioso? Con todo eso desde que hablé de él, me he acordado de él constantemente. Por eso mis entrañas se conmovieron por él; apiadado, tendré de él misericordia, dice el SEÑOR

21 Establécete señales, ponte mojones altos; nota atentamente la calzada; el camino por donde viniste, vuélvete, virgen de Israel, vuélvete a éstas tus ciudades

22 ¿Hasta cuándo andarás errante, oh hija contumaz? Porque el SEÑOR criará una cosa nueva sobre la tierra: una MUJER rodeará al varón

23 Así dijo el SEÑOR de los ejércitos, Dios de Israel: Aun dirán esta palabra en la tierra de Judá y en sus ciudades, cuando yo convertiré su cautiverio: el SEÑOR te bendiga, oh Morada de justicia y monte de santidad

24 Y morarán en ella Judá, y también en todas sus ciudades, labradores, y los que van con rebaño

25 Porque embriagué el alma cansada, y llené toda alma entristecida

26 En esto me desperté, y vi, y mi sueño me fue sabroso

27 He aquí vienen días, dijo el SEÑOR, y sembraré la Casa de Israel y la Casa de Judá de simiente de hombre y de simiente de animal

28 Y será que, como tuve cuidado de ellos para arrancar y derribar, y trastornar y perder, y afligir, así tendré cuidado de ellos para edificar y plantar, dijo el SEÑOR

Jeremías 31:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 31

This chapter is connected with the former, respects the same times, and is full of prophecies and promises of spiritual blessings; of the coming of Christ; of the multiplication of his people, and the increase of their joy; of the conversion of the Gentiles; of the covenant of grace; and of the stability of the saints. It begins with the principal promise of the covenant, confirmed by past experience, of divine goodness, and with a fresh declaration of God's everlasting love, Jer 31:1-3; an instance of which would appear, in planting vines or churches in Samaria, the metropolis of Ephraim or the ten tribes, under the ministry of the apostles, the watchmen, on Mount Ephraim; whereby the Israel of God would be built, beautified, and made to rejoice, Jer 31:4-6; yea, it would be matter of joy to all that heard of it; since, notwithstanding distance and other difficulties, a great number should come to Christ, and to his church, drawn by the Father's love to them, and as owing to the relation he stands in to them, Jer 31:7-9; redemption out of the hands of Satan, and every spiritual enemy, must be published among the Gentiles; which would cause great joy, and give great satisfaction to the priests and people of the Lord, expressed by various metaphors, Jer 31:10-14; and though, upon the birth of the Redeemer, there would be an event, which might tend to damp the joy of saints on account of it, the murder of the infants at Bethlehem; yet some things are said to encourage faith, hope, and joy, and to abate sorrow and weeping, Jer 31:15-17; Ephraim's affliction, and behaviour under it, his repentance and reception, are recorded, Jer 31:18-20; backsliding Israel are called upon to return, in consideration of the birth of the Messiah, Jer 31:21,22; the happy and flourishing estate of the people of God is promised; all which were made known to the prophet by a dream in the night, Jer 31:23-26; and fresh promises are made, that the Lord would do them good, and not punish the children for their fathers' sins, but everyone for their own, Jer 31:28-30; and then an account is given of the new covenant of grace, as distinct from the old, and of the articles of it; the inscription of the law in the heart, spiritual knowledge of the Lord, and remission of sin, Jer 31:31-34; then follow assurances of the everlasting continuance of the true Israel and church of God, Jer 31:35-37; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem, and of the holiness of it, and of its abiding for ever, Jer 31:38-40.