Jeremías 31:5-15

5 Volverás a plantar viñedosen las colinas de Samaria,y quienes los plantengozarán de sus frutos

6 Vendrá un día en que los centinelasgritarán por las colinas de Efraín:“¡Vengan, subamos a Sión,al monte del SEÑOR, nuestro Dios!”»

7 Así dice el SEÑOR:«Canten jubilosos en honor de Jacob;griten de alegría por la mejor de las naciones.Hagan oír sus alabanzas y clamen:“¡Salva, SEÑOR, a tu pueblo;salva al remanente de Israel!”

8 Yo los traeré del país del norte;los reuniré de los confines de la tierra.¡Volverá una gran multitud!Entre ellos vendrán ciegos y cojos,embarazadas y parturientas.

9 Entre llantos vendrán,y entre consuelos los conduciré.Los guiaré a corrientes de aguapor un camino llanoen el que no tropezarán.Yo soy el padre de Israel;mi primogénito es Efraín.

10 »Naciones, escuchen la palabra del SEÑOR,y anuncien en las costas más lejanas:“El que dispersó a Israel, lo reunirá;lo cuidará como un pastor a su rebaño”.

11 Porque el SEÑOR rescató a Jacob;lo redimió de una mano más poderosa.

12 Vendrán y cantarán jubilosos en las alturas de Sión;disfrutarán de las bondades del SEÑOR:el trigo, el vino nuevo y el aceite,las crías de las ovejas y las vacas.Serán como un jardín bien regado,y no volverán a desmayar.

13 Entonces las jóvenes danzarán con alegría,y los jóvenes junto con los ancianos.Convertiré su duelo en gozo, y los consolaré;transformaré su dolor en alegría.

14 Colmaré de abundancia a los sacerdotes,y saciaré con mis bienes a mi pueblo»,afirma el SEÑOR.

15 Así dice el SEÑOR:«Se oye un grito en Ramá,lamentos y amargo llanto.Es Raquel, que llora por sus hijosy no quiere ser consolada;¡sus hijos ya no existen!»

Jeremías 31:5-15 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.