What does Jeremiah 31:1 Mean?

Verse Meaning

At that future time, namely, the eschatological future (cf. Jeremiah 30:24), the Lord would establish an intimate relationship between Himself and all the families of His people (cf. Jeremiah 31:33; Genesis 17:7; Zechariah 12:10-14). He would finally achieve what His people had always frustrated by their sins. [source][source]

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This verse concludes the material in chapter30 and serves as a heading for chapter31. All of chapter31describes the national restoration of Israel. This is verse25 chapter30 in the Masoretic Hebrew Bible, and Jeremiah 31:2 begins the next chapter. [source][source]

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Context Summary

It is all-inclusive: all the families of Israel. It is patient under provocation: during forty years it bore with Israel. It has a drawing-power which overcomes our obduracy. It longs to restore the old joyous confidence and freedom: thou shalt go forth in the dances of them that make ready. It will never rest till it has broken down misunderstandings and alienation, so that even Ephraim shall propose to worship at Mount Zion. It meets the heart: they shall come with weeping. It sets the blind by rivers of waters, and the blind and the lame in a straight way. The effect of such love is still further described in Jeremiah 31:18-19 we bemoan our sins with profound remorse. These words, which were so sweet to the prophet, Jeremiah 31:26, are yet to be fulfilled; but in the meantime the covenant is for us all and each one may claim the fulfillment of the I wills of Jeremiah 31:33-34. See Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:8. It is God's purpose to care for His people through shepherds (pastors) who are responsible to Him. Jesus our Lord is the Branch into which we may be grafted. He is our King who saves us and clothes us with His own spotless righteousness. God finds us in Him, Philippians 3:9. Because He reigns, we are saved and dwell in safety. When we are brought into contact with false shepherds, whether the failure be in doctrine or example, let us ask for the broken heart of Jeremiah 23:9.

God is everywhere present; as the latter paragraph indicates, He is near at hand to overhear the blasphemy of those who deride religion, and to be a very present help in time of trouble. If He fills heaven and earth, can He not fill thy heart? If His Word is like fire, let it cleanse thee! If it is as a hammer, let it pulverize thy pride! Let those of us who essay to teach and preach, not steal our words from our neighbors, or utter our own, but receive them from the source of all truth. [source]

Chapter Summary: Jeremiah 31

¹  The restoration of Israel
¹⁰  The publication thereof
¹⁵  Rahel mourning is comforted
¹⁸  Ephraim repenting is brought home again
²²  Christ is promised
²⁷  His care over the church
³¹  His new covenant
³⁵  The stability,
³⁸  and amplitude of the church