「神による回復の約束」 十一月第五主日礼拝 宣教 2025年11月30日
エレミヤ書 Jeremiah 30章1〜11節 牧師 河野信一郎
Good morning. Welcome back, everyone at church. We have arrived at the final morning of November. I am thankful that we can offer worship to God together with you all again this morning. This morning marks the beginning of this year’s Advent season. As we shared in the children’s message, during this time, I pray that we may be led to a faith that actively prepares our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus at Christmas, and to a faith that eagerly anticipates His return.
Well, this concludes our series of messages from the Book of Jeremiah, which we’ve been listening to since September. Through these twelve messages, what have you heard from God? Last week, we listened to Jeremiah chapter 42 and heard about the great difference: the blessing for those who hear God’s word and obey, and God’s judgment for those who hear but do not obey.
The Book of Jeremiah is filled with God’s words of judgment spoken to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah—who had forgotten their covenant and promises with God and refused to obey His word—and to all Israel. Chapters 2 through 6 declare the sins and impending judgment of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, while chapters 12 through 20 contain prophecies of Judah’s destruction. Chapters 26 through 28 prophesy the complete destruction of Jerusalem, a reading that pierces the heart. Furthermore, the book contains numerous scenes of injustice, such as the prophet Jeremiah—who faithfully delivered God’s word to the people—being imprisoned and facing death, and enduring great suffering.
Now, as we reach the final installment of this series, one might reasonably expect that I would draw hopeful messages from chapters 43 through 52, the concluding chapters. Unfortunately, however, chapters 43 through 52 primarily contain prophecies of God’s judgment upon Babylon and the nations. What follows is a succession of heart-wrenching content.
However, in such times, I believe the words “Do not lose heart” in verse 46 of chapter 51—“Do not lose heart. Do not fear the rumors you hear in the land”—offer us encouragement. The world we live in today is filled with news reports full of various rumors and speculation. What we need is to trust only in the true God, to look only to our Savior Jesus, and to continue living by trusting in this Lord.
The Book of Jeremiah does not consist solely of God’s words of judgment from chapter 1 to chapter 52. Even within these harsh words, there are recorded encouragements from God saying, “Return to me,” and promises of God’s salvation. From chapters 30 to 35, we find words filled with hope—promises of restoration—declaring that a new king and shepherd would be given by God, salvation would come through him, and though a long period of exile lay ahead, the people would be brought back to Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 29:11, one of the most famous verses in the Book of Jeremiah, states: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I will give you a future filled with hope.“ Many find comfort and encouragement in these words. However, to receive this hope of peace from God, we must not overlook God’s words of love in verses 12-14: ” Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.
Now, the passage we are led to for the final installment of this series is chapter 30. This is the first chapter of what is called the “Book of Consolation,” spanning chapters 30 through 33. Verses 1 and 2 state: “The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Write down on a scroll all the words I have spoken to you.’” God commands Jeremiah, “Write down on a scroll every word I have spoken to you.” Writing on a scroll signifies that these words are true. The words God speaks are always right. This means God’s will and plan for Judah are clearly established.
This means that no matter how dire the circumstances facing the people of Judah, no matter how miserable and hopeless our own situation may be today, God is still alive and at work. So what were the harsh circumstances Judah faced? Let us read from verse 4 through the first half of verse 7.
“The following is what the Lord said concerning Israel and Judah. The Lord declares: We have heard a voice of trembling, only terror. There is no peace. Ask and see: a man shall never give birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his hips like a woman in labor? Every face is ashen. Woe! For that day is great—there is none like it. It is the time of Jacob’s trouble.“ This describes an extremely dire situation”. Though it says ”Israel,” this refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been defeated by the Assyrian Empire a hundred years earlier and its people taken into captivity. Now, great danger also looms over the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
Skipping ahead to verse 11, the latter part states God’s words: “I will discipline you justly. I will never leave you unpunished.” God declares that the great sins committed by the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah against Him will be punished as sins. God declares, “I will never leave them unpunished.” Therefore, the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, and the seventy years of Babylonian captivity occurred. Though God is a God of love, He is also a righteous God who hates sin, and He does not leave our sins unaddressed. Those who do not repent face God’s judgment. Those who hear God’s words and turn back to Him will be saved, but those who do not turn back will perish in their sin.
But the righteous God is a loving God. Returning to verse 3: “The Lord says, ‘The day is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will bring them back to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will possess it.’” God gives us this promise of salvation, this promise that prosperity will be restored.
The latter half of verse 7 also states, “But Jacob will be saved from this.” The term “Jacob” here signifies God’s grand plan to reunite the northern kingdom of Israel, which had previously perished, with the southern kingdom of Judah, which was about to face judgment, into one nation once more. The following verse 8 declares: “On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, the yoke will be broken from your neck, and the bonds will be snapped. Never again will the enemy enslave Jacob.”
What is the Lord God’s plan for rebuilding and restoring Israel? Verse 9 states, “They will serve the Lord their God and David, the king I will raise up.” We understand that God has a plan to establish a new king, and that new king is the Anointed One, Jesus Christ. This Savior was sent by God to this earth to become our King. Both Israel and we are called to believe in this Savior and continue to follow Him.
Verses 10–11: “Do not fear, Jacob my servant,” declares the Lord. “Do not be dismayed, Israel. For I will save you from afar, your descendants from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return and dwell in safety. No one will threaten them. The Lord says, ‘I will be with you and save you. I will utterly destroy the nations where you were scattered, but I will not utterly destroy you. I will discipline you justly; I will never leave you unpunished.’”
No matter how dire the circumstances facing the people of Judah, no matter how filled with suffering our present days may be, no matter how hopeless our situation seems, God encourages us, promising, “Do not fear, do not be dismayed. Behold, I will save you from afar.” And He fulfills that promise through Jesus.
Certainly, reading on from verse 12, there are instances of severe discipline, but from verse 17, God’s promise of salvation is given. In verse 22, this promise is made: “Then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” This loving God, through Jesus, calls us to be God’s children, God’s people, and gives us love, joy, peace, and hope. Through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection, He grants us forgiveness of sins and salvation. The Savior Jesus, promised by God, is with us this morning and always.