Jeremiah 46:27-28

A Promise To Judah That She Too Will Be Restored (Jeremiah 46:27).

But in spite of these judgments there is future hope for Judah/Israel, for YHWH's promise is that He will not leave them in their exile. As He had previously promised in Isaiah, they will be brought back to their land and dwell in safety (Isaiah 11:11 and often). It is not the people of Judah in Egypt who are specifically in mind, for they have been promised judgment with only a remnant escaping. It rather has in mind that God will not leave His exiled people worldwide to perish. This found its fulfilment with the restoration of exiles from Babylon and from all around the world after what we call The Exile, so that by the time of Jesus Palestine was well populated again. Note that both halves of the nation are in mind. It will be a restoration of ‘Israel', as indeed Isaiah had made clear.

For these verses compare Jeremiah 30:10 in a context where they appear more apposite. But they are also incorporated here in view of the promise of Egypt's restoration in Jeremiah 46:26. If Egypt was to be restored, how much more God's people, for in all that God does it is His people who are finally in view. But it is important to note that it is only those who return who are to receive the promise. God's promises require response.

Jeremiah 46:27

“But do not you be afraid, O Jacob my servant,

Nor be dismayed, O Israel,

For, lo, I will save you from afar,

And your seed from the land of their captivity,

And Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease,

And none will make him afraid.

In accordance with the teaching of Isaiah ‘believing' Israel are still YHWH's servant with a task to fulfil (e.g. Jeremiah 41:8; Jeremiah 43:5; Jeremiah 44:1). Thus they need not be dismayed whatever happens, for they will be brought back to the land from afar, delivered from their worldwide exile. And the promise is that they will be brought back to their own land and will dwell in safety. ‘quiet and at ease and unafraid'. This actually occurred after the Exile when Israelites returned from all parts of the world, and for a while Israel/Judah became an independent nation. Prominent among these were the returnees from Babylon, but they were not the only ones. It is simply that we know more about them because of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Jeremiah 46:28

“Do not you be afraid, O Jacob my servant,

The word of YHWH,

For I am with you,

For I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you,

But I will not make a full end of you,

But I will correct you in measure,

And will in no way leave you unpunished.

Note the continual stress on the fact that they need not be afraid. Their confidence is to be in God Who will make all things right. Whilst there will be a ‘full end' for many of the nations among who they are exiled, He will not make a full end of them, even though it is necessary for them to be punished. As always it is those who ‘believe' and respond to the divine activity who will benefit by the promise. They would be the ones who would make the effort to return.

Note the reference to ‘Jacob' (Israel/Judah) as His servant, a typical Isaianic theme. The point is that ‘Jacob' is His chosen people through whom He will carry forward His saving purposes, bringing salvation to the world.