Turning Mourning into Joy

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 31:1-30

 

Jeremiah 31:13

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
    and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
    I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

(ESV)

 

I urge everyone reading this to continue praying for the people in Ukraine. While the bravery and courage of the Ukrainian people are inspirational, victory will require a Godly intervention like the intervention by God for Israel when they found themselves backed up to the Red Sea with the Egyptian army advancing towards them (Exodus 14). The situation seemed impossible for Israel, but God provided a way to escape the Egyptian army and the means to destroy the enemy of God’s people. Prayer is a powerful thing and a tool the people of God must use (James 5:16).

 

The Word of the Lord given by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31:1-30 is a word of encouragement for the people of Judah and Israel living in exile. The text is in four sections that provide encouragement and comfort by,

 

1)      God reminding His people of His relationship with them (Jeremiah 31:1-6) – Even though Israel and Judah have been rebellious by worshipping other gods, they are still the people of God and dearly loved by Him. It was never the intention of God to destroy His people but to discipline them, bringing them to repentance. God is a good Father who disciplines His people for repentance and not their destruction because his plans for His people are for their good and not their destruction (Jeremiah 29:11).

2)      God stateing His intention to bring His people home (Jeremiah 31:7-14) – The people in exile are in mourning and perhaps beginning to believe their exile would become permanent due to its protracted length. This passage begins by encouraging the exiles to begin singing aloud and to shout for joy to the Lord (Jeremiah 31:7). The Lord promises to bring His people back to their land on a straight path by brooks of water (Jeremiah 31:8-9). This return of Israel and Judah to their land serves as a demonstration of the mercy and love of God towards His people (Jeremiah 31:10-14).

3)      God promising the lament of Israel and Judah will be turned into joy (Jeremiah 31:15-20) – The exiles are weeping over their situation with the Lord promising a reward for their work and hope for the future (Jeremiah 31:15-17). The Lord has heard the lament of Ephraim and his relenting or repenting of his sin and reminds Ephraim of His love and the yearning of His heart towards him (Jeremiah 31:18-20).

4)      God reminding those in exile that the path to restoration is repentance (Jeremiah 31:21-30) – God encourages Israel and Judah to set up road markers and guideposts leading them back to their land (Jeremiah 31:21). The Lord then challenges His people in exile by asking them how long they will waver in turning back to God (Jeremiah 31:22). God then provides a picture of what life will be like once Israel and Judah return to their land (Jeremiah 31:23-25). At this Jeremiah awakens from his pleasant sleep with the Lord reinforcing his intention to return His people to the Promised Land (Jeremiah 31:26-30).

 

The nation of Israel and Judah has gone into exile for rebelling against God and worship of other gods. Exile is the consequence of this rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). While exile is the consequence of rebellion against God, God is merciful and promises restoration when Israel repents of their sin (Deuteronomy 30:1-3). In Jeremiah 31:21, God urges His people to reflect on their pathway of rebellion, return to God, and once again live in the cities God gave to them. Upon doing this, those preserved in exile will once again experience joy instead of mourning (Jeremiah 31:15-29).

 

The Jews in exile did not stop being God’s chosen people but due to rebellion suffered a time in exile to bring them to repentance. As Christians, we have a position as righteous and children of God because of what Christ Jesus has done (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, we live in a fallen world full of temptation and can succumb to this temptation and fall into sin. Thankfully, God’s mercy forgives and brings restoration to those that repent and turn back to God (1 John 1:9). If you are reading this and have never invited Jesus to be your Savior, I invite you to pray with me and receive salvation from your sins,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those that know Jesus as Savior but have drifted away from Christ, I urge you to repent and receive restoration. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this.