Jeremiah 30:4-11 – Don’t wait for a tragedy to move us to obedience.

Israel was one nation until after Solomon. When his son Rehoboam succeeded him on the throne, he chose to listen to foolish counsel. His folly caused a division in the once-united Israel and caused it to become two nations. The north comprised ten tribes that became known as Israel and the south would comprise two tribes that became known as Judah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was eventually destroyed by the Assyrians and now the people of Judah were in the throes of great pain and suffering in their captivity in Babylon.

In Jeremiah 30-33, God sent a series of messages through His servant Jeremiah promising relief. The messages of hope addressed both Israel and Judah. Note that while the prophetic messages found fulfillment in their time, they also point to the ultimate deliverance in the future. In Christ, the ultimate Davidic king the promise of hope will be ultimately fulfilled.

In Jeremiah 30:4-7, the intensity of the suffering of God’s chosen people was described. Their great suffering here was referred to as Jacob’s distress. It was a period of great agony and suffering. Some suggest that this was referring to the great tribulation of seven years. However, we see here the chosen people undergoing divine chastening for their disobedience. In these verses, God knew the intensity of the suffering they were going through. Metaphorically their suffering was described as men who cannot give birth yet were experiencing excruciating pain with their hands on their loins, like women who were travailing in great pain in labor. The faces of the people had also turned pale. But the promise of relief was indicated in verse 7. God promised to save them from all the intensity of it their suffering.

The Bible assures us that those whom God loves He chastens. His purpose of course is not to destroy us but to develop and mature us. The best response to God’s loving overture is to obey and be faithful to Him. Life is less painful when we choose to walk according to God’s prescription. But when we choose not to follow His direction, we signal the need for Him to use tough circumstances to straighten us.

Here we are reminded of the call of God in Psalm 32. We are encouraged to cooperate with the Lord as He guides us. God knows all the directions that we need to attain a fulfilling life. When we collaborate with Him willingly, no pain would be required to move us along those wonderful paths. However, if we stubbornly refuse to move in tandem with Him, we will encounter painful experiences that He would allow along the way, to move us closer to His desired paths for our life. Wisdom demands that we obey God instantly, and don’t wait to be moved by the pains and afflictions of life.