Jeremiah 33:10-13 – Great times await God’s people

A prophetic message contains two key elements. First, it tells of a time of judgment, then it promises a time of hope. The prophet Jeremiah had prophesized the devastation of Judah, it would be a land devoid of man and beast that would make wedding, worshipping, and farming impossible. Now in Jeremiah 33:10-13, he prophesied the restoration of the land that would make those activities possible again.

Firstly, there would be a restoration of wedding activities. People would return to populate the deserted town and once again the first part of verse 11 says there would be wedding ceremonies. “The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride” would be heard again. They would remember the mercy of the LORD and proclaim, “Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, the LORD is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

Secondly, there would be a restoration of worship activities. The last half of verse 11 says that people would once again be able to go to the temple, the house of God to offer their thanks. For a long while they had no temple to go to rejoice and offer their thanksgiving to God. The time would come when their land would be restored, and they could once again be able to go to the temple and offer thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is proper, right, and befitting of a wonderful God. Three times in Psalm 136:1-3, the Psalmist exhorts the people to give thanks to God who is good; who is the God of gods; and who is the LORD of Lords. The key reason why thanksgiving should be offered is that His steadfast love endures forever.

Thirdly, there would a restoration of farming activities. During wartime in Judah, all farming and agricultural activities would be hampered. Farmers would be put out of business. But with the land restored, farming activities would follow suit. Farmers who were enlisted as soldiers could return to farming. Shepherds would once again be found leading sheep in the pastureland. Once again shepherds would be able to count their flock. God would restore their fortune.

Thinking about discipline and hope, we need to remember Psalm 30:5. The Psalmist here tells us that “For His (God’s) anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” No doubt that dealing of God will be painful, but when we respond and align, the result will outweigh the pain. It will bring everlasting joy. So we learn to count it all joy…when we meet trials of various kinds, knowing that the testing of our faith will produce steadfastness… and when steadfastness have its full effect, that we will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).