Jeremias 30

Jeremias 30

Meyer applies the statement I will not destroy you completely to believers who are enduring intense trials and afflictions writing that "The believer today can draw comfort from this principle of Gods character and nature. Take to heart these tender words: God will not make a full end of you. It may seem as though nothing will be left: the furnace is so hot; the stock is cut down so near to the ground. But God knows just how much you can bear, and will stay his hand. I will not make a full end of thee." I will chasten you justly - In the context of Jeremiah 30 the chastening appears to refer to the time of Jacob's distress. Just (fair) chastening from God is never to be regarded lightly, for it has great benefits to those who receive such discipline. This "I will" declaration is reminiscent of the words in Hebrews 12:5-9-note - You have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? Feinberg observes that Jehovah "makes a telling distinction between the fate of God’s people and that of their oppressors: the oppressors may be removed finally from the scene of history, but God’s people never (Jer 30:11; cf. Jer 4:27; 5:10, 18; 46:28). This is not partiality on God’s part, for he will not overlook his people’s sins. They can no more sin with impunity than any other persons or nation. The Lord must chasten them and he will do so with justice, not capriciously." Jeremiah 30:12 "For thus says the LORD, 'Your wound is incurable and your injury is serious. For - term of explanation - He is elaborating on the chastisement (Jer 30:11). Wound...incurable...injury...serious - The prognosis looks grim for the nation of Israel. But remember Who the "attending Physician" is in this case! These descriptions refer to their grave condition because of their persistent sin against Jehovah! Charles Feinberg - Jeremiah now turns to the serious condition of Israel. His purpose is to show that her punishment was well deserved. The pronouns in Jer 30:12 are in the feminine, referring to the nation. Her wounds were, apart from God, incurable.