Jeremiah 30:12-22

12 "This is God's Message: "'You're a burned-out case, as good as dead.

13 Everyone has given up on you. You're hopeless.

14 All your fair-weather friends have skipped town without giving you a second thought. But I delivered the knockout blow, a punishment you will never forget, Because of the enormity of your guilt, the endless list of your sins.

15 So why all this self-pity, licking your wounds? You deserve all this, and more. Because of the enormity of your guilt, the endless list of your sins, I've done all this to you.

16 "'Everyone who hurt you will be hurt; your enemies will end up as slaves. Your plunderers will be plundered; your looters will become loot.

17 As for you, I'll come with healing, curing the incurable, Because they all gave up on you and dismissed you as hopeless - that good-for-nothing Zion.'

18 "Again, God's Message: "'I'll turn things around for Jacob. I'll compassionately come in and rebuild homes. The town will be rebuilt on its old foundations; the mansions will be splendid again.

19 Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows; laughter will spill through the doors. Things will get better and better. Depression days are over. They'll thrive, they'll flourish. The days of contempt will be over.

20 They'll look forward to having children again, to being a community in which I take pride. I'll punish anyone who hurts them,

21 and their prince will come from their own ranks. One of their own people shall be their leader. Their ruler will come from their own ranks. I'll grant him free and easy access to me. Would anyone dare to do that on his own, to enter my presence uninvited?' God's Decree.

22 "'And that's it: You'll be my very own people, I'll be your very own 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.