Book by Book

February 21, 2024

Jeremiah 30-31

“Chapters 30–31, together with Jeremiah 32–33, are often called the ‘Book of Comfort’. The main theme is a message of hope for those going into exile, a hope which is also expressed in the preceding chapter (29:10–14).[1]”

“most of the book’s messages of hope are found in chaps. 30–33, called collectively the Book of Consolation or the Book of Comfort. These chapters have been placed in the midst of mostly biographical material. They anticipate a restoration of Israel to God’s favor and a return of the people to their homeland.[2]”

IX. Messages of Hope for Restoration (30.1–33.26)

A. Promises of Restoration (30.1–24)

(1) Introduction to the Messages (30.1–3)

(2) Promise of Restoration for Jacob (30.4–11)

(3) Promise of Healing for an Incurable Wound (30.12–17)

(4) Promise of Restoration of the Fortunes of Jacob (30.18–22)

(5) The Fierce Anger of the Lord (30.23–24)

B. The New Covenant (31.1–40)

(1) The Rebuilding of Israel (31.1–6)

(2) Return of the Scattered People (31.7–14)

(3) The End of Rachel’s Weeping for Her Children (31.5–22)

(4) Description of Future Blessing (31.23–28)

(5) Repudiation of a Popular Saying (31.29–30)

(6) Announcement of a New Covenant (31.31–34)

(7) God’s Assurance of Israel’s Eternal Duration (31.35–37)

(8) God’s Promise that Jerusalem Would Be Rebuilt (31.38–40)

Outline from F. B. Huey, Jeremiah, Lamentations, vol. 16, The New American Commentary (Nashville. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 259-287.

[1] Hetty Lalleman, Jeremiah and Lamentations: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. David G. Firth, vol. 21, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2013), 223.

[2] F. B. Huey, Jeremiah, Lamentations, vol. 16, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 259.