Jer 30.1-24 contains a prophecy concerning the Second Redemption (Isa 11.11-16) in the latter days, called in Hebrew the Yamim Ba’im in verse 3, also called the Acharit Yamim in Jer 30.24. Jeremiah was told to write all these words in a scroll so others could read it in the dispersion. It was written right before the fall of Jerusalem.
v 1…The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord (Yehovah), saying,
v 2…”Thus says the Lord, the God (Elohay) of Israel (the covenant God of Israel, ‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book (scroll).
v 3…For, behold, days are coming (yamim ba’im and an eschatological term for the “latter days” or acharit yamim, meaning when Messiah comes; in a sense he is referring to the return from Babylon, but this chapter has predictions that have not been fulfilled yet so it refers to the end of the birth-pains as well),’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will restore the fortunes (return the exiles or captives) of my people Israel and Judah (the twelve tribes back to the land). The Lord says, ‘I will also bring them back to the land that I gave their forefathers, and they shall possess it.'”
v 4…Now these are the words which the Lord spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah,
v 5…”For thus says the Lord, ‘I (“we” in Hebrew alluding to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit-Ecc 12.1; Dan 4.17, 7.26 for other examples of this) have heard a sound of terror (God sees their fear in Babylon about the rise of Cyrus who will come against Babylon), of dread, and there is no peace.
v 6…Ask now, and see, if a male can give birth? Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth (intense pain)? And why have all the faces turned pale?
v 7…Alas! For that day (that you fear, and also alludes to the Day of the Lord) is great, there is none like it, and it is a time of Jacob’s (Israel) distress (trouble), but he will be saved from it (these verses allude to the Birth-pains of the Messiah, also called the “tribulation” at the beginning or the first seven years of the Messianic Kingdom. The Messianic Kingdom is also called the Atid Lavo, the coming and future age, the Lord’s Day, Sabbath of God and other names-Rev 12.2; Isa 13.6; Mic 5.3; 1 Thes 5.1-3; Isa 26.16-21; Hos 5.15; Matt 24.8; Deut 4.30; Zeph 1.15; Zech 14.2; Mal 3.1-3-the birth-pains are linked to the Day of the Lord).
v 8…And it shall come about on that day (eschatologically the day of the Lord),’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from their neck (eschatologically the False Messiah), and will tear off their bonds; and strangers shall no longer make them their slaves (this shows this prophecy cannot only be understood as a deliverance from Babylon, but it applies to the end of the birth-pains. However, the deliverance from Babylon will be a picture of this).
v 9…But they (Israel as a nation) shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king (a term for the Messiah because he is his son-Jer 23.5, a sprout to be king over Israel-Hos 3.5) whom I will raise up for them.
v 10…And fear not, O Jacob my servant (the true Israel),’ declares the Lord, ‘and do not be dismayed, O Israel (a parallelism); for behold (see for yourself), I will save you from afar (all countries, distance will not be an issue when Messiah comes), and your offspring (seed) from the land of their captivity. And Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and no one shall make him afraid (this has not happened yet, but the Babylonian deliverance will be a picture of the Second Redemption).
v 11…For I am with you,’ declares the Lord, ‘to save you; (spiritually and physically); for I will destroy completely all nations where I have scattered you (Yehovah will punish the nations who persecuted Israel), only I will not destroy you completely (a remnant will survive). But I chasten you justly (wisely and accordingly), and will by no means leave you unpunished (but he will not destroy Israel).’
v 12…For thus says the Lord, ‘Your wound is incurable (Israel’s sin before the birth-pains, and its the same with us), and your injury (wound) is serious (grievous).
v 13…There is no one to plead your case, no healing for your sore, no recovery for you (no medicine will heal them).
v 14…All your lovers (allies like Egypt and Assyria, and eschatologically Europe and those allied with the False Messiah) have forgotten you (won’t keep their promises), they do not seek you (don’t care); for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the punishment of a cruel one (Greece, Rome, ultimately the False Messiah), because your iniquity is great and your sins are numerous (this increased after the return from Babylon, and they were chastised by the Greeks and the Romans, and ultimately with the False Messiah during the birth-pains).
v 15…Why do you cry out over your injury? Your pain is incurable. Because your iniquity is great and your sins are numerous, I have done these things to you.
v 16…Therefore (as a result) all who devour you shall be devoured (even though Judah sinned, their enemies will not go unpunished; and all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity (be conquered); and those who plunder you shall be for plunder, and all who prey on you I will give for prey (this is an example of the concept called “midah kneged midah” meaning “measure for measure”).
v 17…For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because they have called you an outcast (as a wife put away-Isa 62.4), saying, “It is Zion; no one cares for her (forsaken and divorced).”
v 18…”Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold (see), I will restore the fortunes (bring back the captives) of the tents of Jacob (Yehovah further explains the promised deliverance) and have compassion on her dwelling places (that have been destroyed); and the city (Jerusalem) shall be rebuilt on its ruin, and the palace shall stand on its rightful place.
v 19…And from them (the city and the palace) shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry (because of the favor and grace they have been shown); and I will multiply them (increase), and they will not be diminished (fewer); I will also honor them (so they are not taken lightly), and they shall not be insignificant.
v 20…Their children also shall be as formerly (in the streets playing without fear, numerous and free) and their congregation (assembly) shall be established before me; and I will punish all their oppressors (who oppose Messiah, the Torah, etc).
v 21…And their leader (prince) shall be one of them, and their ruler shall come from his (Jacob) midst (meaning the people will no longer be ruled by a foreign kings or rulers); and I will bring him (Jacob) near, and he shall approach me; for who would dare risk his life to approach me (if I did not draw them)?’ declares the Lord.
v 22…And you shall be my people (as his bride in a renewed covenant; Yehovah takes her again as his wife or there would be no need for a new, or renewed, covenant which are seen as marriage vows), and I will be their God (as the groom).'”
v 23…Behold, the tempest (whirlwind) of the Lord (Yehovah)! Wrath has gone forth (against God’s enemies in the birth-pains); a sweeping tempest (against all nations; continuing and not soon over); it will burst (hurl) of the heads of the wicked (rashim or those who follow the False Messiah).
v 24… The fierce anger of the Lord (tempest/the whirlwind) will not turn back (to Yehovah) until he has performed (his whole purpose or goal), and until he has accomplished the intent of his heart; in the latter days (acharit yamim and an eschatological term for when Messiah comes) you will understand this (all the facts of this prophecy).
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