Romans 15:4 (NLT) 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Bible scholars often call these four chapters ch’s 30-33 “The Book of Consolation.” In them, the Lord unpackages the amazing promise He gave to His people in the letter Jeremiah sent the Babylonian exiles:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (29:11).
There is hope for your future… and your children shall come back…
Jeremiah was called by God to lead his people Judah through a process of accepting judgement and ultimately repenting. And it’s in this context that he reveals hope and promise for God’s people. Comfort. Relief. Support.
Jeremiah 30:3 (NLT) 3 For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Jeremiah 31:2–3 (ESV) 2 Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, 3 the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
chapter opens with two of the most beautiful phrases in Bible: grace in the wilderness, and loved with everlasting love —the second providing the opening line of George Wade Robinson’s much loved hymn. (Wright 2014)
Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace that love to know,
Spirit sent from Christ above, thou dost witness it is so.
O this full and precious peace from his presence all divine;
in a love that cannot cease, I am his and he is mine…