Jeremiah 31:4
4. I will build . . . thou shalt be built—The combination of the active and passive to express the same fact implies the infallible certainty of its accomplishment. "Build," that is, establish in prosperity (Jer 33:7).
adorned with . . . tabrets— (1Sa 18:6). Or, "adorn thyself with thy timbrels"; used by damsels on occasions of public rejoicings (Ex 15:20; Jud 11:34). Israel had cast away all instruments of joy in her exile (Ps 137:4). dances—holy joy, not carnal mirth. Jeremiah 31:11-12
11. ransomed . . . from . . . hand of . . . stronger—No strength of the foe can prevent the Lord from delivering Jacob (Isa 49:24, 25).
12. height of Zion— (Eze 17:23).
flow—There shall be a conflux of worshippers to the temple on Zion (Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1). to the goodness of . . . Lord—(See Jer 31:14). Beneficence, that is, to the Lord as the source of all good things (Ho 3:5), to pray to Him and praise Him for these blessings of which He is the Fountainhead. watered garden— (Isa 58:11). Not merely for a time, but continually full of holy comfort. not sorrow any more—referring to the Church triumphant, as well as to literal Israel (Isa 35:10; 65:19; Re 21:4). Jeremiah 31:31
31. the days . . . new covenant with . . . Israel . . . Judah—The new covenant is made with literal Israel and Judah, not with the spiritual Israel, that is, believers, except secondarily, and as grafted on the stock of Israel (Ro 11:16-27). For the whole subject of the thirtieth and thirty-first chapters is the restoration of the Hebrews (Jer 30:4, 7, 10, 18; 31:7, 10, 11, 23, 24, 27, 36). With the "remnant according to the election of grace" in Israel, the new covenant has already taken effect. But with regard to the whole nation, its realization is reserved for the last days, to which Paul refers this prophecy in an abridged form (Ro 11:27).