Jeremías 31:7-17

7 Porque así dice el SEÑOR: Gritad con alegría por Jacob, y dad voces por la primera de las naciones; proclamad, dad alabanza, y decid: "Oh SEÑOR, salva a tu pueblo, al remanente de Israel."

8 He aquí, yo los traigo del país del norte, y los reuniré de los confines de la tierra, entre ellos los ciegos y los cojos, la mujer encinta y también la que está dando a luz; una gran compañía volverá acá.

9 Con llanto vendrán, y entre súplicas los guiaré; los haré andar junto a arroyos de aguas, por camino derecho en el cual no tropezarán; porque soy un padre para Israel, y Efraín es mi primogénito.

10 Oíd, naciones, la palabra del SEÑOR, anunciad en las costas lejanas, y decid: El que dispersó a Israel lo reunirá, y lo guardará como un pastor a su rebaño.

11 Porque el SEÑOR ha rescatado a Jacob, y lo ha redimido de manos más fuertes que él.

12 Vendrán y gritarán de júbilo en lo alto de Sion, y radiarán de gozo por la bondad del SEÑOR: por el grano, por el vino y por el aceite, y por las crías de las ovejas y de las vacas. Su alma será como huerto regado, y nunca más languidecerán.

13 Entonces la virgen se alegrará en la danza, y los jóvenes y los ancianos a una; cambiaré su duelo en gozo, los consolaré y los alegraré de su tristeza.

14 Y llenaré con abundancia el alma de los sacerdotes, y mi pueblo se saciará de mi bondaddeclara el SEÑOR.

15 Así dice el SEÑOR: Se oye una voz en Ramá, lamento y llanto amargo. Raquel llora por sus hijos; rehúsa ser consolada, por sus hijos que ya no existen.

16 Así dice el SEÑOR: Reprime tu voz del llanto, y tus ojos de las lágrimas; hay pago para tu trabajodeclara el SEÑOR, pues volverán de la tierra del enemigo.

17 Y hay esperanza para tu porvenirdeclara el SEÑOR, los hijos volverán a su territorio.

Jeremías 31:7-17 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.