Tyndale Open Study NotesJeremiah 33

People often call these four chapters "The Book of Consolation," a highlight in Old Testament revelation. Unlike the many judgment messages Jeremiah gave his people, these messages are full of hope and promise a wonderful future restoration.

• As Jerusalem and the king of Judah faced invaders, God gave Jeremiah insight into His long-term plan. The promises would only come true after the destruction. The nation's hope was not in avoiding destruction but in the purification it would bring.

• Jeremiah was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace from late 587 BC, during the siege, until Jerusalem fell in August 586 BC (see Jeremiah 32:2).

The Lord based this message on his power as the Creator of everything and the strength of his name.

Zedekiah and his men demolished some buildings to strengthen the city's walls against the Babylonians' siege ramps and swords.

The men were doomed because the Lord had decided to destroy the city.

The Lord promised to cleanse and forgive all their rebellious sins. This promise was the foundation of the new, everlasting covenant (Jeremiah 31:34; 32:38–41).

After the new covenant was established, all nations would see the Lord's blessing on Jerusalem.

Seventy years of exile would come first, but the Lord’s curse (Jeremiah 7:34) would be reversed (25:10–12). Singing would mark the restored worship (Psalm 136:1). This prediction came true in 538 to 536 BC when worship in Jerusalem was restored and the foundations of the Second Temple were laid (Ezra 3).

bride and bridegroom: Compare the earlier prophecies in Jeremiah 7:34 and 25:10.

The Babylonian invasion left the land empty and barren.

• the days are coming...In those days: These phrases refer to events beyond the return of the exiles, as mentioned by the Lord's prophets (Isaiah 32:1–2). They point to the New Testament fulfillment of God's plan in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and a righteous branch; Isaiah 4:2; 11:1; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12, 13).

• He: A single person, not a group, would be a fair judge and bring justice with his decisions.

Continuing the discussion about the flaws in Zedekiah and other kings of David's dynasty (Jeremiah 23:1–5), the Lord revealed the greatness of a future ruler.

The LORD Our Righteousness: Hebrew Yahweh Tsidqenu; see Jeremiah 23:5–6, where this title refers to the Messiah. This name reverses Zedekiah’s name (Tsidqiyyahu, “Righteous is the Lord”). Zedekiah did not live up to his name, but the Messiah would fulfill it.

Zedekiah was the last of David's descendants to rule Judah, but the Messiah, a future descendant of David, will be Israel's king forever.

After the exiles returned to Jerusalem, Levitical priests led worship in the new Temple (Ezra 6:13–22).

Jeremiah shared God's promise. The new agreement with David's descendants and the Levitical priests would be as certain as day following night.

The Lord had rejected individuals, cities, and kingdoms, but he would never abandon his people, who spanned many generations.