Lamentations 3:31 - Jeremiah's Hope

Audio Bible

Context

Jeremiah's Hope
…30Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach. 31For the Lord will not cast us off forever. 32Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.…

Cross References

Psalm 103:9
He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.Isaiah 54:7-8
“For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. / In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?Jeremiah 3:12
Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever.Psalm 30:5
For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.Isaiah 57:16
For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me—the breath of life I have made.Hosea 11:8-9
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! / I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath.Psalm 77:7-9
“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” SelahJeremiah 31:37
This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above could be measured and the foundations of the earth below searched out would I reject all of Israel’s descendants because of all they have done,” declares the LORD.2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. / No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, / who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

1 Samuel 12:22
For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Psalm 77:7
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Psalm 94:14
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

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Lamentations 3

For the Lord
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and authority of God. In the context of Lamentations, the Lord refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The use of "Lord" underscores His role as the ultimate judge and redeemer. Throughout the Old Testament, God is depicted as both just and merciful, a theme that is central to the book of Lamentations. This duality is seen in passages like Exodus 34:6-7, where God is described as compassionate and gracious, yet also just.

will not cast us off
The idea of being "cast off" suggests rejection or abandonment. In the historical context of Lamentations, this reflects the experience of the Israelites during the Babylonian exile, when they felt forsaken by God due to their disobedience. However, the assurance that God "will not cast us off" speaks to His enduring faithfulness and commitment to His people. This is echoed in other scriptures such as Deuteronomy 31:6, where God promises never to leave nor forsake His people. Theologically, this points to the hope of restoration and reconciliation, a theme that runs throughout the prophetic books.

forever
The term "forever" highlights the temporary nature of God's discipline compared to His eternal mercy. While the Israelites experienced severe consequences for their sins, this phrase reassures them that God's rejection is not permanent. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption, where God's ultimate plan is to restore His people. In the New Testament, this is fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's eternal promise of salvation and reconciliation, as seen in passages like Romans 8:38-39, which affirm that nothing can separate believers from the love of God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.

2. Jerusalem
- The city that faced destruction by the Babylonians, leading to the lamentations and expressions of grief found in this book.

3. Babylonian Exile
- The event during which the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, a backdrop to the lamentations and expressions of hope in God's eventual mercy.

Teaching Points

God's Discipline is Temporary
The verse reassures believers that God's discipline is not eternal. Understanding this can provide comfort during times of trial, knowing that God’s ultimate plan is restoration.

Hope in God's Faithfulness
Despite circumstances, believers can trust in God's faithfulness. His promises of restoration and mercy are sure, encouraging us to remain steadfast in faith.

Endurance Through Trials
Recognizing that trials are temporary can help believers endure with patience and hope, focusing on the eternal perspective rather than immediate suffering.

God's Compassion and Mercy
This verse highlights God's compassionate nature. Believers are reminded to rely on His mercy, which is new every morning, as stated earlier in Lamentations 3.

(31) For the Lord . . .--The counsels of submission are followed by the grounds of hope. The first, a quotation from Psalm 77:7, had been of old a favourite thought of the writer's (Jeremiah 3:5; Jeremiah 3:12). The second (Lamentations 3:32) rests on the fact that compassion underlies chastisement (Psalm 30:5; Job 5:18; Isaiah 54:8); the third (Lamentations 3:33) on the truth that the primary eternal will of God is on the side of love, and that punishment is, as it were, against that will. . . .

Verses 31-33. - Two grounds of comfort:

(1) the trouble is only for a time, and God will have compassion again (vers. 31, 32); and

(2) God does not afflict in a malicious spirit (ver. 33). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Lord
אֲדֹנָֽי׃ (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cast us off
יִזְנַ֛ח (yiz·naḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2186: Reject, forsake, fail

forever.
לְעוֹלָ֖ם (lə·‘ō·w·lām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

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Lamentations 3:31 Catholic BibleOT Prophets: Lamentations 3:31 For the Lord will not cast off (Lam. La Lm)