Jeremiah 30:23-24

Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.

(Jeremiah 23:19). Vengeance upon God's foes always accompanies manifestations of His grace to His people.

A continuing, [ guwr (H1481)] - literally, taking up its abode, dwelling (Psalms 5:4), "a whirlwind" abiding constantly; appropriately here, in the case of Babylon, which was to be permanently destroyed, substituted for 'whirling itself about' ("grievous" in the English version) (Jeremiah 23:19, see notes there), where the temporary downfall of Judea is spoken of. Others translate it 'congregating itself,' as in Hosea 7:14, "they assemble themselves." I prefer the English version.

Remarks:

(1) Though the Jews can claim no favour from God for their merits, yet God of His own grace promises to both Israel and Judah a complete deliverance and restoration (Jeremiah 30:3). But there shall come (Jeremiah 30:5), immediately before Messiah's final interposition in their behalf, a "time of trouble" to the people of Jacob, such that "none is like" it (Jeremiah 30:7). A promise is at the same time given that "he shall be saved out of it."

(2) Similarly, in the case of spiritual Israel, the Church, often the dawn of deliverance is preceded by the darkest hour of night. Just as the appearance of Moses as Israel's deliverer was not until their Egyptian bondage had reached its culmination of cruelty and oppression. In the first rescue of the sinner from the power of Satan in conversion, often the greatest gloom of fears and of despairing self-condemnation precedes the joy of assured faith and personally-known salvation. And so, in the after-experience of the believer, God suffers His people to be at times most sorely tried just before He purposes giving them the most delightful revelations of Himself. Finally, when their souls are about to pass to blessedness in His presence, then especially Satan tries them in their season of greatest bodily weakness. But let the believer fear nothing, because he has God's comforting assurance that, great though his trouble be, "he shall be saved out of it;" and even the joys of Paradise, which immediately await him, shall be enhanced by the remembrance of the great tribulation out of which he has come.

(3) There is a wide difference between the "end" of the enemies of God and that of the people of God (Jeremiah 30:11). The former are given over to utter destruction; whereas the latter, when they have for a time backslidden, are "not left altogether unpunished," but are "chastised in measure;" and then, when chastising has worked its designed effect, by leading them to return to their God, they are restored to God's favour, and shall abide in His presence forever. Babylon, the once mighty city, has lon g since ceased to exist; the Jewish people, once subject to Babylon, still remain, and await the coming glory of their nation, when "Jacob shall be in rest and quiet, and none shall make him afraid" (Jeremiah 30:10).

(4) The wound, political and spiritual, of Israel, was and is "incurable" by man (Jeremiah 30:12; Jeremiah 30:15). But when "none can plead her cause" (Jeremiah 30:13), and she herself "has no healing medicines," the Lord will espouse her part, and "restore health unto her" (Jeremiah 30:17), and "heal her wounds" (Jeremiah 30:17). Our case spiritually is then in the most favourable state when we have learned our own helplessness and inability to work the cure of our souls; because then we are constrained to cast ourselves unreservedly on our heavenly Advocate, to plead our cause, to heal our spiritual malady, and to impart His sanctifying Spirit.

(5) Zion, heretofore an "Outcast, whom no man sought after" (Jeremiah 30:17), shall be, according to the sure word of prophecy in the end, the object of the Lord's delight, and sought out by all men (Isaiah 62:4; Isaiah 62:12). Then shall her former oppressors be paid in kind (Jeremiah 30:16); her spoilers shall be spoiled, and her devourers shall be devoured; while out of her rebuilt habitation shall proceed joyful thanksgivings (Jeremiah 30:19); and sacrifices of praise shall be presented continually with acceptance before God, through her Divine King-Priest, the Son of David, sitting on the throne of David (Jeremiah 30:21).

(6) The Father himself asks, in order to call forth the adoring admiration of all His creatures, "Who is this that engaged His heart to approach unto me?" (Jeremiah 30:21;) and we, the redeemed, may echo the question. What an overwhelming responsibility to be surety and penally liable for the sins of the whole world! Who but the God-man, Christ Jesus, was competent to undertake such a task, to approach an infinitely holy God, after having become answerable for the sins of the whole human race, and to find acceptance not only for Himself but also for His people? Through Him all believers have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Through Him "the fierce anger of the Lord, which shall fall upon the head of the wicked" (Jeremiah 30:23), is turned aside from us, and "we become His people, and He is our God" (Jeremiah 30:22).