Jeremiah 31:1-6 NLT records God’s promise of hope for the future restoration of Israel into the promised land which God gave them over 4,000 years ago. From all the nations to which God scattered his people for disobedience and unbelief, the Israelites could look forward someday to relief from persecution and living safely in their own land.
“In that day,” says the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
This is what the LORD says:
“Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel.”
Long ago the LORD said to Israel:
“I have loved you my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines. Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria and eat from your own gardens there. The day will come when watchmen will shout from the hill country of Ephraim,
‘Come, let us go up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD our God.’”
Now this is what the LORD says:
“Sing with joy for Israel. Shout for the greatest of nations! Shout out with praise and joy: ‘Save your people, O LORD, the remnant of Israel!’ For I will bring them from the north and from the distant corners of the earth. I will not forget the blind and lame, the expectant mothers and women in labor. A great company will return! Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my oldest child.”
Indeed, this promise was fulfilled in 1948, when Israel became a sovereign nation. What an earthshaking event! Nations worldwide shook with the news. President Truman was the first national leader to recognize the new nation of Israel, but neighboring nations attacked Israel immediately. God showed favor upon Israel and against crazy odds, Israel managed to repel the attacks.
“Listen to this message from the LORD, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coastlands:
The LORD, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd for his flock. For the LORD has redeemed Israel from those too strong for them. They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the LORD’S good gifts – the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life will be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows will be gone. The young women will dance for joy, and the men – old and young – will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. The priests will enjoy abundance, and my people will feast on my good gifts.
I, the LORD, have spoken!”. (emphasis added)
The world watched as Israel suffered a great massacre by Hamas terrorists on October 07, 2023. Israel quickly declared war against the attacker and vowed to eradicate this aggressor. Many Palestinian sympathizers support violence and terror against Israel and its allies, therefore Israel is under pressure from some nations to pull back, cease fire, and just negotiate the release of Israeli and other hostages taken by Hamas during the murderous attack.
Israel says “NO!”
Jeremiah 31:15-18a NLT:
This is what the LORD says:
“A cry is heard in Ramah – deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted – for her children are gone.”
But now this is what the LORD says:
“Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the LORD. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. There is hope for your future,” says the LORD. “Your children will come again into their own land.
I have heard Israel…”
A warning to the haters of Israel:
“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the LORD.
“I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him …”
Those against Israel will never displace Israel or win any war with Israel. God says what he means and means what he says:
“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” ~ Zechariah 12:3 KJV
Thank you for reading and Shalom! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Sherron