For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob,
and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O
LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. (Jer 31:7)
[Jeremiah] now bids them to exult with joy, and to shout for
joy It must be observed that this prophecy was announced, when the utter
destruction of the people, of the city, and temple, was not far distant; but it
was the Prophet’s object to comfort, so to speak, the dead in their graves, so
that they might patiently wait for their promised deliverance, and that they
might feel assured that it was not more difficult for God to raise the dead
than to heal the sick. Therefore the prophecy had its use when the Jews were
driven into exile and miserably scattered, so as to have no hope of
deliverance.
But that his doctrine might more effectually enter into their
hearts, he exhorts them to rejoice, to shout for joy, and to sing; and not only
them, but also strangers. For though it will presently appear that their joy
was not in common with the unbelieving, the Prophet yet seems to address his
words on purpose to aliens, that the Jews themselves might become ashamed for
not embracing the promise offered to them.
For what doth the Prophet say? “Ye alien nations, shout for
joy, for Jacob.’ What should Jacob himself do in the meantime? We now then see
the design of the Prophet's vehemence in bidding all to rejoice for the
redemption of the people, even that this prophecy might not only bring some
comfort to the miserable exiles, but that they might also know, that whilst in
the midst of death, they would live before God, provided they did not despair.
In short, he not only intended to mitigate their sorrow, but
also to fill them with spiritual joy, that they might not cease to entertain
hope and to take courage, and not only patiently, but cheerfully to bear their
calamities, because God promised to be propitious to them. (Commentaries)
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