Chapter thirty contains a specific, outlined message from Jehovah to his people, both Israel and Judah, concerning what he was going to do (Jeremiah 30:1-4). God had Jeremiah write them down on a scroll to indicate their sacredness and importance and in order to preserve them exactly as God intended.1 This preservation was important because the content has to do with the end times, not their immediate situation. There are at least six keys that identify this chapter with future events.
First, both Israel and Judah were addressed, not just Judah (Jeremiah 30:4). Israel (the northern kingdom) had been in exile for nearly 130 years by this point, so God could not have been addressing them unless he meant for them to be restored in the future.
Second, Jeremiah 30:7 calls this time “that great day,” which is used frequently in the prophets to describe the “day of the LORD” or the future Tribulation and Kingdom. Nothing that has happened in Israel will prepare them for the devastation that will happen during that period.
Third, upon their restoration at that time, they will be ruled by a Davidic king again, something that has not taken place since Jeremiah’s day (Jeremiah 30:9, 21).
Fourth, once they have been rescued and returned to their land, they will forever have peace and never be attacked or terrified again (Jeremiah 30:10).
Fifth, everything will be rebuilt the way it should be, the feasts will be resumed, and thanksgiving and praise will fill the city once again (Jeremiah 30:18-19).
Sixth, the promise of spiritual restoration – “you will again be my people and I will be your God” – will finally be fulfilled (Jeremiah 30:22; Jeremiah 31:1).
Notes:
- This is one of the many places that the Scriptures were actually dictated by God through his spokesmen, distinct from sections like historical narrative or the epistles, which were not dictated directly from God. ↩