Jeremiah 31
DortA father prophesy under the type of the redemption from Babylonian captivity concerning the gathering restoring and blessings of the catholic church of the elect both Jews and Gentiles by the Messiahs Jesus Christ verse1 c. concerning the new covenant of the grace 31 concerning the stability and enlargement of the church 35.
1. At the same time saith the Lord will I be a God unto all families of Israel and there shall be a people unto me [as above chapter 30.22 and below verse 33 and 32.38 c.]
2. thus saith the Lord the people of them that were left of the sword[that is which were not destroyed as well by other hostile nations as especially when the Levites at Gods commandment flew a great multitude of their brethren with the sword for the idolatry which they had committed with the golden calf see Exodus 32:27,28] found grace in the wilderness [upon Moses intercession Exodus 32:30,31c so will God say shall also now those that are left of the sword of the Babylonian find favor by the Messiah whereof in the sequel] namely Israel when I went to bring him to rest [to bring Israel into the land of Canaan.]
3. The Lord hath appeared unto me of far times [that is of old long ago they are the words indeed that God hath been in former time very kind and gracious unto us but now they will say his love beginneth to grow cold or to be diminished or to be changed hereunto God maketh answer in the following words of the church speaking of God and supply the sense with the word saying thus the Lord hath appereth unto me of far times saying c] yea I have loved thee [to wit my church Zion the word is put in the feminine gender] with an everlasting love [Heb love for eternity compare John 13:1] therefore with loving kindness towards thee [or henceforth stretched out or continued loving kindness towards thee or therefore do I prosecute or continue loving kindness to you and will deal by you as followeth compare Psalms 36:11 and 85.6 Ecclesiastes 2:3.]
4. I will built thee again and thou shalt be built O virgin of Israel thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets [that is to make merry after the manner of those times see Psalms 68 on verse 26 whereby here the joy of the church in the time of the gospel is represented so in the sequel] and shalt go forth in the dance of them that play [see above chapter 30 on verse 19.]
5. Thou shalt again plant vineyards upon the mountains of Samaria [compare Isaiah 65:21] the planters shall plant and enjoy the fruit [Heb. Profane c. that is freely use and eat the fruit see Deuteronomy 20 on verse 6.]
6. For there shall be a day [that is a time of grace and joy]wherein the keepers [the pastors of Gods church preachers of the gospel Hebrew Nozerim by which word some conceive that God hath respect to the name of Nazarenes which was given to Christians Acts 24:5 see also Numbers 6 on verse 2] upon the mount Ephraim shall cry [Heb cried or cry that is shall cry at that time] get you up and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God [compare Isaiah 2:2,3 Micah 4:2 with the annotate.]
7. For thus saith the Lord cry aloud [or sing triumph shouts] for Jacob with joy and shout [the Hebrew rendered here shout is properly used of the neighing of horses but is also used of men here and Ester 8.15 Isaiah 10:30 and 24.14 signifying to utter a clear loud joyful voice]because of the head of gentiles [because the Jews being captive under the head of the gentiles that is the Babylonians yet notwithstanding should be surely delivered and not be kept under by the head of the gentiles others under the head or under the chiefest gentiles to wit in Babel and everywhere where the Jews were captives under the king of Babel who was the head of Gentiles where all of us where in spiritual manner held captive under Satan the prince of the world and the prince of darkness others in the front before that is in the cross ways the entering and issues of ways or streets as proverbs 1.20,21 among the gentiles that is openly publicly before them whom the salvation of the Lord shall be revealed]cause it to be held sing praise and say O Lord preserve [or deliver save] thy people the remnant of Israel [compare Romans 9 verse 27.]
8. Behold I will bring them from the land of the north [that is Babel see above chapter 1.14 where Judah was held captive typifying the spiritual captivity]and will gather them from the sides of the earth[that is the other countries where the ten tribes were in captivity as Assyria Media c.] among them shall blind and lame [compare Isaiah 35:5,6] the woman with child and she that which travel together [that is some of very weakest sort shall go out from Babel corporally and understanding this further spiritually of such as are laden with sins and are very weak see Matthew 11:28] with a great congregation shall they return hither.
9. they shall come with weeping [for their sin see Matthew 3:6 Acts 2.37c.] and with supplication [or petition for mercy to wit unto me for pardon] will I carry them will I lead them to the water brooks [see Matthew 5:6 John 4.14c and 7.37 c also Psalms 23:2] in a straight way [of saving doctrine of the gospel] wherein they shall not stumble [compare John 8.12and 12.35]for I am father to Israel and Ephraim he is my first born [see Exodus 4 on verse 22]
10. Hear the word of Israel you gentiles and declare in the isles that are afar off [Heb from far compare Proverbs 7 on verse 19] and say he that scattered Israel will gather him [Israel] again and keep him as a shepherd doth his flock [see John 10:11.]
11. For the Lord hath redeemed [or ransomed] Jacob [that is Christ will assuredly redeem his people as if it were already done] and he hath delivered [or released rescued] him from the hand of him that was stronger than he [to wit from the hand of the enemy chiefly of the devil compare Isaiah 40:10 Matthew 12:29 John 12:31 Colossians 2:15 Hebrews 2:14 1John 3.8.]
12. Therefore they shall come and shout on height of Zion [to wit in the temple that is in Christian church and flow in great companies as streams of water compare Psalms 34:6 Isaiah2.2 Micah 4:1] unto the good [or goodness so below verse 14] of the Lord [that is the mercies and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ which are here as elsewhere often shadowed out by corporal mercies and favors]for corn and for new wine and for oil and for young sheep[Heb. Children of sheep or goats or of small cattle]and oxen and their soul shall be as water garden [filled with spiritual gifts and comforts of the holy ghost [and shall henceforth be no more sorrowful [Heb shall not add or go on any more or hence forward to be sorrowful to wit out of disconsolateness of their sins.]
13. Then shall the virgin rejoice [that is the virgin shall c.] in the dance [see above verse 4] be files the young men and the old together for I will change their mourning into joy and will comfort them and will make them rejoice after their sorrow.
14. And I will make the soul of the priest [of the priest [of the ministers of the church compare Isaiah 66:21] drunk with fatness [that is spiritual gifts as the priest in the old testament were wont to receive the best fat flesh both of great and small cattle that were offered in sacrifice compare the phrase with Psalms 36:9 and the annotate]and my people shall [Heb shall in the plural number]be satisfied with my good [as above verse 12] saith the Lord.
15. Thus saith the Lord there is a voice heard in Rama [that is in countries between Rama and Benjamin where Rachel died in travel and was buried Genesis 35:16,19,20 1Samuel 10.2 of Rama see Josiah 18.21,25 1 Samuel 1:1, 19 and 7.17 and 8.4c. and 25.1c.]a lamentation a very bitter weeping :[Heb. Weeping of bitterness] Rachel weeping for her children [Rachel that was long ago dead and buried is here figuratively brought in as it were weeping which she would have done if she would have lived in the time of the Babylonian desolation and Herod’s murdering the infants some understood by Rachel the mothers dwell there about descended from Rachel we may also further take Rachel for it were a church by Rachel children are here meant the children of Joseph and Benjamin the posterity of her sons which were first murdered and carried away to Babel and after the time of Christ’s nativity tyrannically butchered by Herod at Bethlehem and in the countries round about] she refuseth herself to be comforted for her children because they are not[Heb. Because he is not that is saved and left alive see the most principal accomplishments of this prophesy Matthew 2:16,17,18 God will intimate hereby that the great spiritual joy and gladness of the Messiah shall not be without affliction and sorrow but that he will turn it again into joy as followeth.]
16. Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for there is a reward of thy labor [thy suffering and trouble about thy children]saith the Lord for they shall come again out of the land of enemy[thou shalt again get children enough which shall be corporally called out of Babel and spiritually out of the kingdom of darkness and shall be brought unto thee.]
17. and there is expectation for thy posterity [or in thine end that is thou hast yet at last to expect much good Heb. Hindmost last uttermost see Psalm 37 on verse 37 and 109 on verse 13 and above chapter 29 on verse 11 Amos 4 on verse 2]saith the Lord for thy children [compare Isaiah 29.23c.] shall come again to their own border[Canaan and the Christian church.]
18. I have indeed heard [Heb hearing heard] that Ephraim bemoaneth [others comforteth himself saying thou hast chastised me and I was chastised [that is instructed or taught concerning my duty] as an in accustomed calf [Heb untaught calf see above chapter 2 on verse 24 understand not accustomed to the yoke but want on and unruly]turn me so shall I be turned [so Lamentations 5:21] For thou art the Lord my God.
19. Surely after that I was turned I repented[compare Deuteronomy 30:2] and after that I was made known to myself [being enlightened by the holy ghost to know both myself and the grace of God]I knocked upon my thigh [that is mourned or went sad as they do that feel much grief and pain so Ezekiel 21:17] I was ashamed yea I also blushed [or was confounded] because I did bear the reproach of my youth [which I have brought upon me and my manifold sins in former times as by youthful licentiousness and principally in the wilderness also in my flourishing state and condition of Israel’s youth see above chapter 2.2 and Hosea2.3 and 11.1c.]
20. Is not Ephraim a dear son me? Assuredly [he is will God say though I do chastise him for c. is he not unto me a darling [Heb a child of recreation or delight pleasure compare Isaiah 66:12] for since I spake against him [oth. Of him] I do earnestly remember him still [Heb remembering I will remember him] therefore my bowels make a noise for him [that is I am inwardly moved or troubled for him see Isaiah 63:15] I will surely have compassion ]upon him saith the Lord.
21. Set thee up marks make thee pointed pillars [the Hebrew word Tamrurim which above verse 15 taken from another root signifying bitterness seemeth here to be taken from Tamar that is a palm-tree where idolatrous images are compared Jeremiah 10:5 which putteth up his top or point on high and so forward to signify sharp sparing pillars raised up on high pyramids high heaps of stones or stones as a palm token to know the ways by God wisheth them well to remember the way which they went to Babel because they should surely return from thence to their own land] set thine heart upon the path [or high way path or street]upon the way which thou hast walked turn again O virgin of Israel[compare above chapter 14 on verse 17 so Amos 5:2]turn again to these thy cities [from whence thou art carried captive.]
22. How long wilt thou withdraw thyself [or draw outdraw about go about turn about that thou truly turnest not unto me but runnest everywhere hither and thither away from me compare Song of Solomon 5:6 and 7.1 where the Hebrew word is also found] thou withdrawing daughter? For [or seeing also surely] the Lord Hath created some new things compare Numbers 16.30also Isaiah 43:19] in the earth the woman shall encompass the man [or woman shall encompass a man surround that is as some conceive the church of God which is a weak woman shall conquer her enemies compared to a strong man whereunto the Hebrew word hath respect by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and by faith John 16:33 1John 5.4 but the ancient fathers understand this of the mother of our Lord the virgin Mary who is also called a woman Galatians 4:4 who by the secret operation of the holy ghost without the concurrence of man hath conceived environed or encompassed the true valiant champion and the lion of Judah which the Messiah which indeed may truly called a creation of a new great wonder and suiteth not to be amiss to that which went before and to that which followeth the Hebrew word signifieth not only in a hostile manner to environ and besiege but also other ways to encompass surround see 1 Kings 7:15,24 Palms 7.8 and 32.10 it may also be understood of the church being converted of the Jews and Gentiles that she should embrace Christ her bridegroom with great love and affection.]
23. thus saith the Lord of host s the god of Israel yet shall they say in the land of Judah and in the cities whereof I shall turn away their captivity the Lord bless thee thou habitation of justice [as above chapter 50.7 meaning the church of Jesus Christ]thou mountains of holiness.
24. And Judah together with the cities thereof shall dwell therein together [that is all that belong to the city of Judah shall dwell in their own cities] the husbandmen and they that travel with flock [which is a token of rest and peace in the land.]
25. For I have [that is I will c as above verse 22] made the weary soul [that is the thirsty soul as thirst is occasioned by labor and weariness see Psalm 63 on verse2 to wit the soul which thirstieth after grace pardon of sin and righteousness compare Matthew 5:6 and 11.28, 29] drunken [with spiritual comfort and joy compare above verse 14] and I have replenished [satisfied with spiritual meat and drink]every sad soul.
26. Upon this [or for this] I waked and beheld and my sleep was[or became]sweet unto me.[these are the words of Jeremiah which he here inserteth to testify his spiritual joy for this glorious prophesy concerning Messiah which God revealed to him in his sleep.]
27. Behold the days came saith the Lord that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with and the seed of beasts [I will indeed sort sow the house &c after the captivity of Babel corporally but especially my church with the Jews which seem here to be understood by men and with Gentiles which seem to be understood by beasts as Matthew 15:26,27 all born again by incorruptible seed of the gospel 1Peter 1.23 compare Ezekiel 36:9,10,37,38 Hosea 2:23 with the annotate Hebrew man and beasts.]
28. And it shall come to pass like that as I had watched [or have been vigilant compare above chapter 1.12 and below chapter 32.42] to pluck up and to break down and to throw down and to destroy and to inflict evil so will I watch over them to build and to plant [as above chapter 24.6] saith the Lord [the meaning is as I have vigilantly executed my threatening by punishment so will I also do on the contrary in performing my gracious promises.]
29. In those days they shall say no more the fathers have eaten unripe[and consequently sow]grapes and the children’s teeth are grown blunt[or grow blunt dull Hebrew properly shall or should grow blunt that is our ancestors have sealed in the wilderness and afterwards we must suffer for it this was the proverb of the mocking hypocrite and impenitent murmuring of the Jews which accused God of injustice in his threatening and punishments and justified themselves see Ezekiel 18:2,3c. with the annotate.]
30. But everyone shall die for his own iniquity every man that eateth the unripe grapes his teeth shall grown blunt.
31. Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant [see Genesis 15 on verse 17, 18 see of the new covenant Hebrew 8.6,13.] with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
32. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers [some understand this of the covenant of the law or of works written in tables or stone in regard of the following opposition and by comparing this place with 2 Corinthians 3:3 ,6,7c. others understand the world covenant of grace so as the same was administered in the old testament as before the coming of Christ in the flesh under divers of types and shadows with much less clearness and meaner gifts of the holy ghost c.] in the day when I took hold of their hand [to lead them by my power and in most friendly and loving way as it were walking together hand in hand] to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt which my covenant they disannulled [see above chapter 11.7,8 or because they disannulled or brake my covenant] although I had married them [or was their husband or Lord over them had carried myself as their husband or Lord having the right and authority of an husband over them and dealing well with them as an husband doth with his wife compare above chapter 2.14 and Hosea 2:7,8 others and should have continued to be their husbands or Lords? As if the Lord should have saith by no means but I have despised the as some understand that the apostle hath expounded this Hebrews 9:8] saith the Lord.
33. But this is the covenant which after these days I will make with the house of Israel saith the Lord I will give [Hebrews I have given that is I will certainly do it as the sequel declareth] my law in the inner most part[that is heart as is declared in the sequel compare below chapter 32.40 with the annotate] and will write in their hearts[compare below chapter 32.39,40 Ezekiel 36:25,26,27 and 2 Corinthians 3:5] and I will be a God unto them and they shall be a people unto me [as above verse 1 so chapter 24.7 and 30.22.]
34. And they shall teach unto more very man in neighbor and everyman his brother saying know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord [by this God will not take away the ministry or the mutual instruction or exhortation out of the New Testament whereas he himself is the author or institutor but he will signify hereby that the clearness of the gospel and the working of the holy ghost shall be such as that they shall be no need of any great trouble or compulsion to force believers of their duty in as much as they shall be taught of the Holy Ghost and shall be moved and servently inclined thereunto by him compare this phrase with John 16:26,27 and 1John2.27 and see Isaiah 11:9 John 6:45 1Corinthians 1.5,7 and 2.10&c.] for I will forgive their iniquity [so below chapter 33.8] and remember their sins no more [see Psalms 79:8 Ezekiel 18:22 Mich.7.18with the annotate.]
35. Thus saith the Lord which giveth the sin for a light by day and ordinances [or set bounds that is of their ordained course] of the moon and of the stars and of light by night [see Genesis 1:16] which cleaveth the sea [compare Isaiah 51:15] so that the waves thereof of roar the Lord of hosts [see 1 Kings 18 on verse 15] is his name :
36. If these ordinances [mentioned in the former verse] shall depart from before my face [that is cease from their course before me] saith the Lord then seed of Israel [that is the church] also shall cease to be a nation before my face all the days [compare Matthew 28:20 that is as the aforesaid things shall continue and remain so shall there be always a church on earth which shall be my people compare Psalms 72:5,17 and 89, 37, 38 and 102.29.]
37. Thus saith the Lord if the heavens from above can be measured and the foundation of the earth beneath can be searched out then will I also cast away all the seed of Israel for all that they have done saith the Lord.
38. Behold the days came saith the Lord that the city shall be built again to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel [see Nehemiah 3:1 and compare Ezekiel 2:1,2,3,4 and 14.10c] unto the corner gate [see 2Kings 14 on verse 13].
39. and the measuring line [others the measuring line thereof to wit of the city]shall further go forth next to it [the corner gate] unto the hill Gareb [that is of scabby so called according to the opinion of some because the scabby and other unclean persons were appointed to dwell there without the city by the place of execution so hat the city should be built much wider or greater than it was before] and wind about to Goth[some conceive this to be a high mountain on the outermost part of the city of David towards the west and the south.]
40. And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes[hereby may be understood a valley of the Hinnom where the child were burnt to ashes see above chapter 7.31. or a place for the dead bodies or malefactors also the field that wee without dung-gate the meaning is that the church of God should in those places were formerly all heathenish abominations and pollutions were committed] and all the fields unto the brook kindred [see 2 Samuel 15 on verse 23] unto the corner of the horse gate [see Nehemiah 3:28] unto the Lord there shall be nothing plucked up again nor broken down forever [hence it appeareth that this prophesy hath not respect to the earthly Jerusalem which was destroyed by the Romans as if that should be built again but to the spiritual Jerusalem to wit the church of God compare Ezekiel 48:35 c.]