Study Desk

In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel. Yet in the end they will be saved!

For in that day," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "I will break the yoke from their necks and snap their chains. Foreigners will no longer be their masters.

For my people will serve the Lord their God and their king descended from David— the king I will raise up for them.

"So do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel," says the Lord . "For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a life of peace and quiet, and no one will terrorize them.

For I am with you and will save you," says the Lord . "I will completely destroy the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished."

All your lovers—your allies—have left you and do not care about you anymore. I have wounded you cruelly, as though I were your enemy. For your sins are many, and your guilt is great.

I will give you back your health and heal your wounds," says the Lord . "For you are called an outcast— ‘Jerusalem for whom no one cares.'"

They will have their own ruler again, and he will come from their own people. I will invite him to approach me," says the Lord , "for who would dare to come unless invited?

This is what the Lord says: "Those who survive the coming destruction will find blessings even in the barren land, for I will give rest to the people of Israel."

Now this is what the Lord says: "Sing with joy for Israel. Shout for the greatest of nations! Shout out with praise and joy: ‘Save your people, O Lord , the remnant of Israel!'

For I will bring them from the north and from the distant corners of the earth. I will not forget the blind and lame, the expectant mothers and women in labor. A great company will return!

Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my oldest child.

For the Lord has redeemed Israel from those too strong for them.

The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.

This is what the Lord says: "A cry is heard in Ramah— deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted— for her children are gone."

But now this is what the Lord says: "Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you," says the Lord . "Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy.

There is hope for your future," says the Lord . "Your children will come again to their own land.

I have heard Israel saying, ‘You disciplined me severely, like a calf that needs training for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me, for you alone are the Lord my God.

I turned away from God, but then I was sorry. I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.'

"Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?" says the Lord . "I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That's why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.