10 Hear the word of the Lord , O nations , And declare in the coastlands afar off , And say , "He who scattered Israel will gather him And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock ." 11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he. 12 "They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion , And they will be radiant over the bounty of the Lord - Over the grain and the new wine and the oil , And over the young of the flock and the herd ; And their life will be like a watered garden , And they will never e languish again . 13 "Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance , And the young men and the old , together , For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow . 14 "I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance , And My people will be satisfied with My goodness ," declares the Lord . 15 Thus says the Lord , " A voice is heard in Ramah , Lamentation and bitter weeping . Rachel is weeping for her children ; She refuses to be comforted for her children , Because they are no more ." 16 Thus says the Lord , " Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears ; For your work will be rewarded ," declares the Lord , "And they will return from the land of the enemy . 17 "There is hope for your future ," declares the Lord , "And your children will return to their own territory .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 31:10-17
Commentary on Jeremiah 31:10-17
(Read Jeremiah 31:10-17)
He that scattered Israel, knows where to find them. It is comfortable to observe the goodness of the Lord in the gifts of providence. But our souls are never valuable as gardens, unless watered with the dews of God's Spirit and grace. A precious promise follows, which will not have full accomplishment except in the heavenly Zion. Let them be satisfied of God's loving-kindness, and they will be satisfied with it, and desire no more to make them happy. Rachel is represented as rising from her grave, and refusing to be comforted, supposing her offspring rooted out. The murder of the children at Bethlehem, by Herod, Matthew 2:16-18, in some degree fulfilled this prediction, but could not be its full meaning. If we have hope in the end, concerning an eternal inheritance, for ourselves and those belonging to us, all temporal afflictions may be borne, and will be for our good.