Jeremiah 30-31, 40-44, 50-51 (Hope of Restoration)

Jeremiah was released and stayed with the newly appointed ruler Gedaliah who governed over the remaining Jews in Judah (mostly the poor, 40:6). But a man named Ishmael continued to rebel against the Babylonians by assassinating Gedaliah (41:2). Afraid of a Babylonian response, the people asked Jeremiah if they should flee (42:3), but Jeremiah insisted that the Lord would protect them only if they remained in the land (42:10). The people, however, had their hearts set on Egypt and took Jeremiah along as their prisoner (43:4). They were all destroyed by the Babylonians (44).

Even though it was Babylon being used by God for judgment, they too would eventually face the wrath of God (50:25). They would fall just like their predecessors and God’s people would be restored. This prophecy seems to have more than one fulfillment (50:18-20).

Once their capital city and its beautiful temple had fallen, the exiles must have wondered if God had any further plan for them. Throughout Jeremiah we see rays of hope through the darkness of destruction, most famously in Jeremiah 29:11. Chapters 30-31 also speak of this future plan for the exiles. Indeed, they did return after 70 years, but it was not as glorious a return as they hoped. The ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies is found in Jesus Christ (30:9, 21, 24b, 31:10-20, 31-34, 40b, 50:4-5, Hebrews 8:8-12, 10:16-17).