Jeremiah 31:28

And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over {H8245} them, to pluck up {H5428}, and to break down {H5422}, and to throw down {H2040}, and to destroy {H6}, and to afflict {H7489}; so will I watch over {H8245} them, to build {H1129}, and to plant {H5193}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

At that time, just as I used to watch over them with the intent to uproot, break down, overthrow, destroy and do harm; so then I will watch over them to build and plant," says ADONAI.

Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

And it shall come to pass that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith Jehovah.

Jeremiah 31:28 is a powerful declaration of God's ultimate purpose for His people, offering a profound message of hope and restoration. It assures that just as God was active in bringing judgment and discipline, He would be equally, if not more, active in rebuilding and restoring.

Context

This verse is situated within Jeremiah chapters 30-33, often referred to as the "Book of Consolation" or "Book of Comfort." Following decades of prophecies concerning Judah's impending destruction and exile due to their unfaithfulness, this section shifts focus dramatically to a future of restoration. The people of Judah were facing the devastation of the Babylonian exile, and this prophecy served as a beacon of hope, promising their return to the land and a renewed relationship with God. Verse 28 specifically precedes the monumental promise of the new covenant detailed in Jeremiah 31:31-34, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment and Restoration: The verse highlights God's absolute control over both the destructive and constructive phases of His dealings with humanity. He "watched over them" in judgment and will equally "watch over them" in restoration. This demonstrates His purposeful hand in all circumstances.
  • Purposeful Discipline: The initial set of verbs—"pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict"—describe the necessary judgment God brought upon Israel for their disobedience. This was not arbitrary punishment but a corrective measure, designed to lead to repentance and a future of blessing.
  • Promise of Hope and Restoration: The latter set of verbs—"to build, and to plant"—reveal God's ultimate redemptive intent. Just as a gardener prunes a plant to promote healthier growth, God's judgment was a prelude to a more robust and faithful future for His people. This promise speaks to a complete reversal of their fortunes, from devastation to flourishing.
  • God's Faithfulness: The parallelism "like as I have watched... so will I watch" underscores God's steadfast character. His promises of restoration are as certain as His past acts of judgment, affirming His unchanging faithfulness to His covenant people.

Linguistic Insights

The verbs used in this verse echo the very commission given to Jeremiah at the beginning of his prophetic ministry. In Jeremiah 1:10, God tells him, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." This reiteration in Jeremiah 31:28 signals the fulfillment of that initial prophetic mandate. The imagery is agricultural and architectural, portraying God as both the sovereign owner of the vineyard who prunes and the master builder who tears down and reconstructs. The phrase "saith the LORD" (Hebrew: Ne'um Yahweh) emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of this declaration.

Practical Application

For believers today, Jeremiah 31:28 offers immense comfort and perspective. It reminds us that even in seasons of difficulty, loss, or personal struggle, God's ultimate purpose is not destruction but restoration. His discipline, when it comes, is always intended for our good, to refine us and prepare us for building and planting. This verse encourages us to trust God's long-term plan, knowing that His hand is always at work to bring about flourishing, even after periods of tearing down. It's a reminder that God's love and faithfulness prevail, always moving towards renewal and growth, as seen in other prophecies like Amos 9:14, which speaks of rebuilding desolate cities and planting vineyards.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 24:6

    For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up.

  • Jeremiah 1:10

    See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

  • Jeremiah 45:4

    Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, [that] which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.

  • Jeremiah 18:7

    [At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it];

  • Jeremiah 18:9

    And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant [it];

  • Jeremiah 44:27

    Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:2

    A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;

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