Jeremiah 31-32

Chapter 31: Israel shall be gathered

The northern kingdom will be restored. Rachel is represented rising from her tomb, lamenting, but then being consoled by the thought of future restoration. Ephraim repents, and is reconciled. Peace and prosperity returns to the posterity of Jacob. There shall no more be sour grapes, because they shall all know the Lord.

We learn about forgiveness of the Lord because in verse 30 it reads; “But everyone shall die for his own iniquity…” (Jeremiah 31:30) and then later we read; “…I [God] will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34). So here we learn that not only can we be forgiven of our sins, but that we cannot be punished for the sins of others!

Chapter 32: The Lord will gather Israel

Word comes to Jeremiah in the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah, during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Jeremiah is imprisoned, and God tells him to redeem a field in Anathoth through his cousin Hanameel. The contract is delivered to Baruch. The contract is used by God as a sign that the Jews will once more possess their land after the Babylonian captivity. An everlasting covenant will be made.