Jeremiah 46:27-28

C. A Promise to the Judean Captives Jeremiah 46:27-28

TRANSLATION

(27) But as for you, O my servant Jacob, do not fear! Do not be confounded, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return and be undisturbed and at ease with none to make him tremble. (28) As for you, do not fear, O my servant Jacob (oracle of the LORD), for I am with You! Surely I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you; but I will not make a full end of you. I will correct You in measure; yet I will not leave You wholly unpunished.

COMMENTS

Jeremiah cannot think of the defeat of Egypt without at the same time contemplating the salvation of Israel. The prophet here quotes two verses from an earlier passages, Jeremiah 30:10-11. Just as Egypt's troubles are to be but temporary, so also would be the troubles of Israel. To those Israelites who are in captivity in foreign lands Jeremiah directs this word of encouragement: Fear not! Do not be dismayed! God will save Israel from afar, i.e., He will bring them back to the promised land. Once restored to Palestine Jacob will enjoy peace and tranquility and no foreign power shall again make him afraid (Jeremiah 46:27). Fear not, the prophet repeats, for I am with you. Those nations which were responsible for taking the people of God captive would be utterly destroyed. While the captivity is for Jacob a divine punishment yet it is a measured punishment designed for correction and not destruction. What a comfort it is to know that even in the darkest days God has His hand upon His children. In the most difficult circumstances God's people can manifest courage and faith because they are fortified by the promises of their God.