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Jeremiah 31:20

The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 31:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The Divine speaker asks, as it were in surprise, whether Ephraim, who has so flagrantly sinned against him, can really be his dear (or, precious) son, his pleasant child (literally, child of caressing, i.

e. one caressed). The latter expression occurs in a remarkable passage of Isaiah (). Since I spake against him; rather, as often as I spake against him; i.e. as often as I pronounced sentence against Ephraim—such a sentence as is recorded in (where the future tenses should he perfects) and .

We must remember that, with God, to speak is to perform. Often as Jehovah punished Israel, he still remembered him in love—a love which was the pledge of his future restoration to favour upon his true repentance.

I do earnestly remember; rather, I verily remembered. "To remember" is the Old Testament term for providential care (comp. ; ). My bowels are troubled; literally, sound, moan (so ; ).

Something analogous to the thrilling sensation of deep human grief is predicated of Jehovah. Such is the "humility" of the God of revelation (; comp. ).

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 31:1-40EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 31:15-22From this glorious prospect Jeremiah's eye turns to the melancholy present. The land of Ephraim is orphaned and desolate. The prophet seems to hear Rachel weeping for her banished children, and comforts her with the ass…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Jeremiah 31:18-20Ephraim (the ten tribes) is weeping for sin. He is angry at himself for his sin, and folly, and frowardness. He finds he cannot, by his own power, keep himself close with God, much less bring himself back when he is rev…Matthew HenrycommentaryEphraim's Repentance and Privilege; Encouragements to the Captives. (b. c. 594.)EPHRAIM'S REPENTANCE AND PRIVILEGE; ENCOURAGEMENTS TO THE CAPTIVES. (B. C. 594.) We have here, I. Ephraim's repentance, and return to God. Not only Judah, but Ephraim the ten tribes, shall be restored, and therefore sha…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 31:18-21Ephraim bemoaning himself; or, the penitent's restoration. The exiled Israelites are represented as about to grieve over their apostasy, and to seek God in confession and prayer. The answer of God is full of mercy and e…Joseph S. Exell and contributors