Jeremiah 31 – A Testament to Jewish Survival (Part I)

Ø Introduction

Ø Perspective of A Contemporary Jew

I. Introduction

I recently came across an inspiring exposition of Chapter 31 in the Book of Jeremiah, which I want to share with everyone. The tract titled, Jeremiah 31 – A Testament to Jewish Survival, a title I kept for this presentation as well, was written (and posted to a religion discussion forum) by a fellow Jewish colleague who uses the nom de plume LOJ (acronym for Lion Of Judah). LOJ is one of a handful of special people with whom I have had the great privilege to share the task of refuting claims by evangelical "born again" Christians, including some so-called "believers" who claim to be Jews by birth, and where we even helped several "seekers" discover Bnei Noach and Judaism.

With the contents LOJ's tract as my framework, I embellished on his exposition by editing and supplementing some of his remarks (including supporting Scriptural references where appropriate), and adding the corresponding Hebrew texts and a good English translation from the Hebrew. Since LOJ utilized the New International Version (NIV) as the translation from which he worked, I have decided to keep it instead of using the more common King James Version (KJV), which is equally flawed. It is not that he necessarily accepts the NIV as accurate; rather, he uses it since it is a Christian translation and, therefore, is more likely to be accepted by Christians than a Jewish translation.

In a previous presentation, Will the Real "New Covenant" Please Stand Up?, we analyzed one of the key passages from this chapter, Jeremiah 31:30-36[31-37 in Christian Bibles], part of which is often used by Christian missionaries. The current presentation will not go into such detail, but rather address the general prophetic content of the chapter as conveyed through LOJ's comments, which demonstrate the timelessness and enduring truth of these beautiful words spoken by Jeremiah.

The overall theme of the chapter is the prophecy of the ingathering of exiles and the state of affairs in the messianic era – it is a prophecy about the national restoration of Israel. The prophet conveys to the Jewish people a heartening message of hope to encourage them in their darkest ages and times. It is no wonder, therefore, that the first half of this chapter, Jeremiah 31:1-19 [in some Jewish editions it is Jeremiah 31:2-20, where Chapter 31 starts with what is normally Jeremiah 30:25; this is also the way the chapter is numbered in Christian Bibles], has found its way into the service of the synagogue. This passage was selected by the Sages in the 2^nd century BCE to replace the portion from the Torah read in public on the second day of Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year), since the reading of Torah was prohibited by the then ruling Greek occupiers of the Holy Land. Following the defeat of the Greeks by the Maccabees, public reading of Torah was commenced, and the parallel readings from Prophets remained as part of the Jewish tradition, and are still part of the synagogue services today. Consequently, Jer 31:1-19[2-20] is chanted in every Jewish synagogue throughout the world on the second day of Rosh HaShanah. Though the last three verses in this passage were, perhaps, the primary reason for its selection, as they speak of the efficacy of repentance – a most appropriate theme for the start of the period of the ten days of awe & penitence – there were clearly other reasons, as noted above. This passage points to a delightful and idyllic picture of the happiness of Israel redeemed; and it breathes a tenderness and sweetness which have not been surpassed in the whole of prophetic literature.

II. Perspective of A Contemporary Jew

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
30:25	"At that time," says the L-rd, "I will be the G-d of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people."	31:1	"At that time," declares the LORD, "I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people."
31:1	So said the L-rd: "The people who had escaped the sword found favor in the wilderness, as Israel was led to its place of tranquility."	31:2	This is what the LORD says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel."

Comments: The Chapter starts with a promise by G-d that Israel will be His people, and that He will always assist the people of Israel who are able to survive the atrocities of others who seek to destroy them. With G-d's help, most of the people of Israel have managed to survive all the past evil acts perpetrated against them – the Crusades, the Inquisition, the countless pogroms, the Holocaust, the countless acts of Arab terrorism – and there exists, once again, a parcel of land on the globe that carries the name ISRAEL with great pride.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:2	From long ago, the L-rd appeared to me [saying], "With everlasting love have I loved you; therefore I have drawn you to Me with loving-kindness."	31:3	The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
31:3	"Yet again will I rebuild you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel; yet again you shall be adorned with your tambourines, and you shall go out with the dance of those who make merry."	31:4	I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.

Comments: G-d's love for His chosen people, Israel, is unbounded and everlasting (language similar to v. 2, concerning the drawing near to G-d, is found in Hosea 11:4). These two verses clearly contradict the Christian notion that even a single transgression voids the relationship between G-d and Israel that is established by Torah.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:4	"Yet again shall you plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria, indeed planters shall plant [them] and enjoy their fruit."	31:5	Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.

Comments: The use by Jeremiah of the expression 'yet again', lays waste the Christian notions of a spiritual Israel and those grafted in "Jews". This chapter refers to Israel and her exiled descendants – real (physical) descendants, those who can plant vineyards in Samaria, just as the Jews, the descendants of Pharisees, are doing today. The so-called spiritual Israel and grafted in "Jews" never did it before and, thus, the 'yet again' excludes them from this prophecy.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:5	For there is a day, when the watchmen shall call on Mount Ephraim, "Arise, and let us go up to Zion to the L-rd our G-d."	31:6	There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, `Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'"
31:6	For so said the L-rd: "Sing to Jacob with joy, and shout at the head of the nations; proclaim, praise, and say, 'O L-rd, help Your people, the remnant of Israel.'"	31:7	This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, `O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'
31:7	"Behold, I bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth, the blind and the lame amongst them, the pregnant and the birthing together; a great congregation will return here."	31:8	See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return.

Comments: When those (including LOJ) who participated in bringing Soviet Jews to Israel from the North, they knew who this passage was talking about! And, when LOJ heard his mentor, Simcha Jacobovici (whose films and activism were instrumental in bringing the Ethiopian Jews from the ends of the earth on the wings of eagles), talk about women in labor giving birth on Boeing 747s (which had been gutted of seats so that 1,000 people could fit in each plane flown by Jews, the descendants of Pharisees), he knew to whom this passage was referring!

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:8	"With weeping will they come, and with supplications will I lead them; I will make them walk to the streams of waters, in a straight path upon which they will not stumble; for I have become a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn son."	31:9	They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

Comments: Have you ever wept upon seeing the Western Wall - the remnant of the holy Temple grounds? Many of us have. Many of us have ripped our shirts in mourning, as Pharisees are wont to do. We were brought back, we prayed, and we continue to do so.

Ch:Vs		Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:9	Hear the word of the L-rd, O nations, and declare it in the far away islands, and say, "He who scattered Israel will gather them together, and watch over them like a shepherd his flock."		31:10	"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: `He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'
31:10		"For the L-rd has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from the hand of him who is stronger than he."	31:11	For the LORD will ransom Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.

Comments: Ransomed? Redeemed? LOJ writes that the Iranian boys with whom he went to school know about that. Youram, David, and Michael know that their freedom was bought. It was paid for by Pharisees who know the obligation in THEIR HEARTS for Pidyon Shevuyim, the imperative to redeem prisoners i.e, to rescue of the captured and imprisoned. They all now have children and live in freedom, because Torah observant Jews fulfilled this command (mitzvah) as G-d's instrument in doing so.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:11	"And they shall come and sing on the height of Zion, and they will stream to the goodness of the L-rd, over grain, and over wine, and over oil, and over sheep and cattle; and their soul shall be like a well-watered garden; and they shall not continue to agonize any more."	31:12	They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD-- the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

Comments: The Holy Land of Israel was a barren wasteland until the Jews, the descendants of the Pharisees, came back and turned it into the beautiful garden that it is.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:12	"Then shall a virgin rejoice in the dance, and young men and old men together; and I will turn their mourning onto joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow."	31:13	Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Comments: Though some of this bounty has been enjoyed, the prophecy is not yet completely fulfilled. As we hear the news reports from Israel every day, there is still much sorrow, and we know that there is still a long way to go to reach this state of joy.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:13	"And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fat, and My people shall be satisfied with my goodness," says the L-rd.	31:14	I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD.
31:14	So said the L-rd; "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children has refused to be comforted for her children, because they are not."	31:15	This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more."
31:15	So said the L-rd; "Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is reward for your work," says the L-rd; "and they shall return from enemy land."	31:16	This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy.

Comments: Indeed, many of Rachel's children have returned. And though snipers and terrorists endanger the lives of those who are going, Jewish men and women, the descendants of Pharisees, go every day to pray at the tomb of Rachel in Bethlehem.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:16	"And there is hope for your future," says the L-rd, "that the children shall return to their own border."	31:17	So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.

Comments: There is hope, indeed. They are still returning, and they will continue to return to our Land, Israel - the Land that belongs to Rachel's children.

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:17	"I have surely heard Ephraim complaining ]saying], 'You have chastised me, and I was chastised as an untrained calf; O lead me back [to You], and I will return; for You are the L-rd my G-d.'"	31:18	"I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning: `You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God.
31:18	"'For after my return [to You] I regretted [my evil deeds]; and after I was made aware [of my sinfulness], I smote my thigh [in anguish]; I was ashamed and I was also humiliated, for I bore the disgrace of my youth.'"	31:19	After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'

Comments: Penitent sinners have not performed complete repentance unless they regret sins (see also Joel 2:14). Oh! Repentance, a contrite heart, renewal and restoration for Israel, G-d's chosen people? What about the Christian doctrine which states that, on their own, people are unable to truly repent and be forgiven? This passage lays waste the Christian requirement for salvation (being saved).

Ch:Vs	Jewish Translation from the Hebrew	Ch:Vs	New International Version (http://bible.gospelcom.net/
31:19	"Is Ephraim My son who is dear to Me? Is he a delightful child? For whenever I speak of him, I surely still remember him; therefore my inward parts are troubled for him; I will surely have compassion upon him," says the L-rd.	31:20	Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD.
31:20	Put up road markers for yourself, make landmarks; set [the thoughts of] your heart toward the road, the way on which you walked; return, O virgin of Israel, return to these cities of yours.	31:21	"Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, O Virgin Israel, return to your towns.

Comments: Again, G-d's compassion and love for Israel will always be there. And, here, virginity represents virtue – the virtue that is reclaimed yet before any "new" covenant is even mentioned.

I. Introduction

II. Perspective of A Contemporary Jew

Continue to Part II

Listen to this Training

Ask a Question / Post a Response

I. Introduction

II. Perspective of A Contemporary Jew

Continue to Part II

Listen to this Training Ask a Question / Post a Response

Listen to this Training

Ask a Question / Post a Response