Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 340

"Behold, I will bring them from the north country"

Text: Jeremiah 31:8

GOD’S RESPONSE TO THE PRAYERS OF ISRAEL

Returning Israel was to both praise and pray to the LORD. They were to cry out to the LORD to save them (Jeremiah 31:7). This would be the response of God to their prayers!

“Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
And gather them from the ends of the earth,
Among them the blind and the lame,
The woman with child
And the one who labours with child, together;
A great throng shall return there.
They shall come with weeping,
And with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
In a straight way in which they shall not stumble;
For I am a Father to Israel,
And Ephraim is My firstborn.”
Jeremiah 31:8-9

1. “Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
And gather them from the ends of the earth”

a) This describes the people who were scattered.

b) Regions:

i) The north country (Babylon)

ii) The ends of the earth
(The Babylonian Empire was very extensive.)

2. “Among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labours with child, together; a great throng shall return there”

a) A further description is given:

i) Mother and child.

ii) Mother who may have just given birth.
(They would want to return to Israel as soon as possible.)

b) A great throng would be brought back.

3. “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications”

a) Some would be weeping.
But these would be tears of joy for they would be returning home!

b) And with supplications.
Prayer would now be a constant practice!

4. “I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
in a straight way in which they shall not stumble”

a) The LORD Himself would lead the people.

b) He would cause them to walk by the rivers of waters.

i) There would be sufficient water.

ii) This would not be a repeat of the Wilderness journey in the days of Moses.

c) God would lead them in a straight way.

i) It would not be a circuitous journey.

ii) They need not wonder if it would be a return to the days of Moses!

d) They need not fear they would stumble either!

5. “For I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn”

a) God affirms that He regarded returning Israel tenderly.

b) He is Father to Israel.

c) Ephraim (representing Israel) would be as God’s firstborn.

d) This was a most tender and wonderful word of affection.