Jeremiah 33:1-13--The LORD Promises Peace

Jeremiah 33:1-13
English Standard Version

The LORD Promises Peace
33 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: 2 “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name: 3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 4 For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against the sword: 5 They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath, for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. 6 Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. 7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. 8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. 9 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

10 “Thus says the LORD: In this place of which you say, ‘It is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again 11 the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD:

“‘Give thanks to the LORD of hosts,
    for the LORD is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!’

For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the LORD.

12 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: In this place that is waste, without man or beast, and in all of its cities, there shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks. 13 In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin, the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, flocks shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the LORD.

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Jeremiah is still being held prisoner by the king because the king did not agree with the message that the LORD gave to Jeremiah.  The LORD reminds Jeremiah that He is the one that spoke everything into existence out of nothing and gave His covenant Name to His people.  The LORD encourages Jeremiah to inquire of Him so that Jeremiah may acquire both knowledge and wisdom.  There are many things that only the LORD knows, but He can reveal them to those that He wills--those who ask Him for knowledge and wisdom.

The LORD is bringing about everything He promised in terms of the judgment of His people.  He has turned His face of blessing away from the city of Jerusalem and He is going to cause all those who fight against the Babylonians to die trying.  Yet, the day is coming when the fortunes of Israel and Judah will be restored.  They will be cleansed and forgive from their sin and their guilt.  The city of Jerusalem will once again cause people around the world to know the name of the LORD and to praise Him.  Why will they praise Him?  Because they will hear of all the good that He has done for His people, and this will be cause for rejoicing.  They will love Israel and they will love the God of Israel.  When they hear of the God that the LORD has done for His people Israel, it will make the other nations want to obey Him and be His people as well.  They will desire to submit themselves to Him so they may experience His blessings and not His judgment.

Though the LORD was going to turn Israel and Judah into a wasteland while His people were in Exile, life would come back to the Land when the people return.  Though it had been overrun with wild animals while they were away, the Land will be at peace again when they return.  Though it was fruitless while they were gone, it will become fruitful again.  Isaiah says that Israel will be like a bride that sings of her bridegroom, but her song will be of the steadfast love of the LORD--the refrain we read so often in the book of Psalms.  "Give thanks to the LORD for He is good.  His steadfast love endures forever."  

When the LORD restores the Land and the people, there will once again be shepherds and other herdsmen with their flocks and herds.  All the place that the LORD promised would become desolate in the last chapter are promised to come back to life again.  The imagery of sheep and shepherds is interesting because the LORD is the Shepherd of His people who are the "sheep of His pasture" (see Psalm 23).  They will return to being under His care and protection, as a shepherd cares for his sheep and knows every single one of them.