15 Thus says the Lord , " A voice is heard in Ramah , Lamentation and bitter weeping . Rachel is weeping for her children ; She refuses to be comforted for her children , Because they are no more ." 16 Thus says the Lord , " Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears ; For your work will be rewarded ," declares the Lord , "And they will return from the land of the enemy . 17 "There is hope for your future ," declares the Lord , "And your children will return to their own territory .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 31:15-17
Commentary on Jeremiah 31:10-17
(Read Jeremiah 31:10-17)
He that scattered Israel, knows where to find them. It is comfortable to observe the goodness of the Lord in the gifts of providence. But our souls are never valuable as gardens, unless watered with the dews of God's Spirit and grace. A precious promise follows, which will not have full accomplishment except in the heavenly Zion. Let them be satisfied of God's loving-kindness, and they will be satisfied with it, and desire no more to make them happy. Rachel is represented as rising from her grave, and refusing to be comforted, supposing her offspring rooted out. The murder of the children at Bethlehem, by Herod, Matthew 2:16-18, in some degree fulfilled this prediction, but could not be its full meaning. If we have hope in the end, concerning an eternal inheritance, for ourselves and those belonging to us, all temporal afflictions may be borne, and will be for our good.