Everything in Jeremiah 31 is written in a future tense: “He will”; “they will”; “I will”. If you read the entire chapter, you will see a full plan of restoration for Israel. There is a tender gathering which God intends for his rebellious people. We see words about new wine and young herds, a bounteous garden provided by God, the old sorrows washed away. Young men and old men will join in the dance with the young women; comfort and joy will return to their lives.
At this time, seventy years will have passed since Israel went into exile. They will have endured terrible things, both in the diaspora and in the city of Jerusalem. Meanwhile, hope will have utterly abandoned the people; but in contrast, the sorrow of God, recorded in the early chapters of Jeremiah, will have been absolutely heart-breaking:
The word of the Lord came to me: “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:
“This is what the Lord says:
“‘I remember the devotion of your youth,
how as a bride you loved me
and followed me through the wilderness,
through a land not sown.
Israel was holy to the Lord,
the first-fruits of his harvest;
All who devoured her were held guilty,
and disaster overtook them,’”
declares the Lord.
Hear the word of the Lord, you descendants of Jacob, all you clans of Israel.
This is what the Lord says:
“What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.”
(Jeremiah 2:1-5)
I can almost hear the bridegroom weeping as I read this passage. This is NOT parental disappointment with the children: this is the groom abandoned by his bride.
God cherishes us. He has plans to make all things new for us, all the time, no matter how we have turned our backs on him. His hand is held out to you this day: take it in your own, and let him lead you into his restoration.