In many places in the Bible, God makes specific promises to his people Israel. A closer look reveals that they are above all else: "Phenomenal!" This series explores selected promises God made to Israel. Prepare to be amazed!
By Dr. Tobias Krämer
“The days will come,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites out of Egypt,’ but, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought up the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where he had driven them.’ And they will live in their own land.” (Jeremiah 23:7–8)
We are in the period around the time of the exile. In 586 BC, the Babylonians came and took many Jews with them. Before this date, Jeremiah admonished, warned, announced this punishment, and called for repentance. Afterward, he proclaimed words of encouragement and restoration. Our text belongs to these words.
Through Jeremiah, God announces a time of exceptional character. In the period leading up to it, the Exodus from Egypt will be the great event of Israel's salvation. How powerfully God worked during that time! Consider the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the deliverance of Israel, and the destruction of the Egyptian army.
But a time will come when this will no longer be spoken of. Why? Because something greater will happen: the return of the Jews to their land. God will bring his people back. Not only from "the land of the north" (Babylon), but "from all the countries where he has banished them." What a magnificent prospect!
Let's go through this slowly again – you have to understand this. The fact that the Jews are scattered all over the world is no accident. It is a judgment from God. But the judgment will end. This is shown by the fact that God is bringing his people back to their land. There they are to "dwell," and – that is the meaning – forever. Then everything will be alright.
God is not saying that the Jews can remain scattered; the main thing is that they find faith and obedience. For the return of the Jews to their land is not insignificant. It shows that the time of judgment is over and grace triumphs. The God of Israel does not lose his people in the vastness of history—he brings them to their destination. That is our God.
